'Heating Hearts' Warms Tulsa Mom And Four Kids

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Just a week ago, our temperatures dipped to record lows. It's hard to think about, but hundreds of Oklahomans braved those bitter cold temps without any heat. News on Six has teamed up with Airco Service to make a difference in the lives of two families.

Three-year old Logan loves super heroes. He also loves his mom Melissa Shell. She's a Wonder Woman of sorts.

"It is a struggle, but with the support of my friends and the family I have, it's been doable. I can't complain too hard," said Melissa Shell.

The single mom of four works full time, but money is tight. Last year her heater broke. She didn't look into the cost of repairs because she says it wasn't something she could afford.

So she made do with what she could.

"Some friends of mine loaned us some space heaters, and we were using the burners on the stove. It's just been one of those touch and go kind of seasons. But we've been okay," she said.

Shell sleeps on the couch because she leaves the burners on. Logan sleeps right next to her.

"We don't leave them on when no one is home. Sometimes when we come home, the house will be very frigid. Then we turn everything back on, and it would be okay in half an hour or so," said single mother Melissa Shell, who has been without a heater this winter.

Joanna Odle, a longtime friend of Shell's, recognized her hard work and nominated the super mom for Heating Hearts.

"I was like, ‘Are you serious?' Oh my God. I've never won anything as neat as that so it was very cool," Shell said.

That way Shell can spend a warm day at home watching movies with her littlest sidekick.