Bellevue company offering its own version of recession relief

Not all stimulus packages are coming from the government these days.

Out Today, a Bellevue-based company that specializes in plumbing, heating, and electrical work, is offering a monthly giveaway of $2,500 in services for one applicant who can't afford much-needed repairs.

The program starts this month and continues until the company determines that the current recession is over.

Out Today has done this kind of thing before. Last year, the business sponsored a contest to find Western Washington's oldest water heater and replace it free of charge.

The winner, a single dad from Des Moines, won a "green" tankless-gas water heater to replace the original unit from his 1940 home.

Out Today took care of the bill, which would have been over $7,000 with the extensive electrical work that was required during installation.

"That made everyone at our company feel really good," said Out Today co-owner Rod Jessen.

The idea for this latest giveaway started while Jessen was dealing with a customer who was down on his luck. The man was in the middle explaining that he couldn't make a payment when a tow truck came by to repossess his vehicle.

"You've got to believe a guy when a tow truck pulls up to take away his car," Jessen said. "That's what really set us off."

Out Today's new monthly giveaway is available to all homeowners in need. Applications are available at www.outtoday.com, or by calling 866-688-8632.

Joshua Adam Hicks can be reached at 425-453-4290.

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