Call 217.954.0385

NOMINATE A TEACHER

Entries due Oct 31st

Tips for Writing a Strong Nomination!

The most important part of your nomination is the story. Tell us why this teacher deserves to win:

  • How do they go above and beyond for their students?
  • How do they make a difference in their school or community?
  • Why should we choose them for this prize, and how will a new HVAC system help them?

The more detail you can provide, the better we can understand their impact.

*If a teacher gets several unique nominations, that is taken into consideration.

Photos and Descriptions

  • Photos: If you’re self-nominating or nominating someone else, please attach pictures of their current heating and cooling units if you have them.
    • Not having photos will not disqualify you.
    • Photos do help us see the condition of their equipment and can show us how badly it needs to be replaced.
  • Description: Use the nomination form to describe the current heating and air situation. Is the system unreliable, noisy, or inefficient? Has it caused classroom discomfort or interruptions? Please be specific—this information helps us determine who is most in need.

Terms and Conditions — C-U Trade Services 4th Annual Teacher HVAC Giveaway

  1. Eligibility
    The giveaway is open to Pre-K, Elementary, Junior High, and High School teachers residing in Champaign, Iroquois, or Vermilion counties in Illinois. As well as the Monticello School District. Teachers may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.

  2. Entry Period
    All nominations must be submitted through the official form available at www.cutradeservices.com by October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST.

  3. Prize Details
    The prize consists of one (1) qualifying HVAC system, to be supplied and installed by C-U Trade Services.

    • System model and specifications will be determined by C-U Trade Services based on the property’s heating and cooling needs and installation eligibility.

    • Installation must be scheduled and completed by December 31, 2025.

    • The prize has no cash value, is non-transferable, and cannot be exchanged for other products or services.

  4. Selection Process
    Finalists will be contacted in November 2025, and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter. Entries will be judged based on need, story, and impact as described in the nomination form.

  5. Additional Requirements

    • The winner must reside within C-U Trade Services’ service area.

    • The nominated property must meet installation and accessibility requirements determined by C-U Trade Services.

    • C-U Trade Services reserves the right to verify eligibility and disqualify any entries that are incomplete, inaccurate, or fraudulent.

  6. Publicity Release
    By accepting the prize, the winner agrees that C-U Trade Services may use their name, photo, and story for promotional purposes in print and digital media without additional compensation.

  7. General Conditions
    C-U Trade Services reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate the giveaway if circumstances beyond its control affect its administration or fairness. All decisions made by C-U Trade Services are final.

Past Winners

“I just wanted to write to say how extremely grateful we are to you all for the new furnace and AC. It is such an incredible gift, I am at a loss for words to express how big of a deal this is to us. It is really a life changing gift, something we were likely going to have to replace in the next couple years, and this has saved us from so much worry and stress, not to mention how we will appreciate having energy efficient units with the price of energy rapidly increasing. I also wanted to thank Kyle and Gabe, they were both very kind, knowledgeable and took care to do a great job. Kyle was very patient explaining the process as well as teaching me how to use our new unit, and was so kind to my son, telling him about the tools he was using and letting my son show him his tool kit. We are just so grateful for it all, and feel incredibly fortunate that you picked our family.”
2022: Michael M. (Urbana, IL)
“Shana is a single mom, special education teacher, and JV girls basketball coach in her third year of teaching at Rantoul Township High School. She is also one of the kindest, most thoughtful, caring, generous souls you will ever meet. Ms. Calhoun truly goes above and beyond to provide more than just education and guidance to her students.”

She spends her Saturday mornings filling her shopping carts at multiple stores with travel sized deodorant, toothpaste, mouthwash, feminine hygiene products, healthy brain food, and so much more [for her students]. She truly believes in her community and the youth within it.”

“Ms. Calhoun works herself to the point of exhaustion to provide for everybody around her, and it would be so nice to finally see the universe provide something so needed and well deserved to her for a change.”

2023: Shana C. (Rantoul, IL)
“I am happy to share that I was one of the teacher winners for CU-Trade Services heating and cooling system teacher give away. We are so blessed that they decided to choose more than one winner this year!! We were in desperate need of a new furnace as ours was around 30 years old so I jumped on the opportunity to apply. Every time we would begin to save up for one or even a down payment on one, an appliance would break or a car repair was in need. In this economy, many people are taking second jobs or starting side businesses selling items or services. I consider this everyday, but to do that I would have to cut back on extra things I do for the school or the community. This was my sign that I should continue to spend my “extra” time volunteering. The guys from CU who installed our new system were just amazing and took the time to explain things to me as I was the only one home at the time. The system is running great. I feel so blessed.
2023: Trixie P. (Onarga, IL)
"Thank you, C-U Trade Services HVAC department! Caleb and Isiah did an amazing job installing our new HVAC system in the freezing cold yesterday. We came home to a warm house and no mess! Everyone that we worked with at C-U Trade Services was helpful and knowledgeable! Five stars all the way!"
2024: Nicolette B. (Saint Joseph, IL)
"Cathy is the most giving person you'll ever meet. She gives everything of herself to her students, family, and friends without ever wanting thanks or recognition. It would be so nice to give back to Cathy as much as she gives to everyone in her life."

"I am SO excited! I still cannot believe it! You are truly blessing this old teacher!" - Cathy
2024: Cathy H. (Danville, IL)