Sharon O’Connell received a $33,100 Christmas present this year.

“I’m very grateful,” she said. “I’ve had some downfalls, but it seems like things (are changing).”

O’Connell opened her front door recently and found Martin Dreager standing there — president of Lake Havasu City-based Green Light Solar Industries.

Dreager told her that he was going to install a solar panel system on her house valued at $33,100 — for free.

Dreager said O’Connell kept telling him that she couldn’t afford it and he promised her that she wouldn’t pay a penny.

“Some of the people who need it the most can afford it the least,” he said. “They are the people who need it the most, people who are on fixed income.”

Dreager said he talked to a city official in the Housing and Urban Development program, which works with low-income families to increase homeownership, to get a recommendation on a local resident who could benefit from his charity.

That’s how he received O’Connell’s name.

O’Connell said she was on a fixed income and had to heat and cool only portions of her home in order to live within her budget.

Dreager said he expects the new solar system to be running by the end of February and the power generated should eliminate nearly all — if not, all — of her electric bills this summer.

O’Connell should receive a $15,840 energy rebate, which will be passed along to Dreager’s supplier, which has discounted materials for the project, Dreager said.

He said he is trying to raise funds to cover the remaining $17,260 balance, and if not enough money is raised, he’ll eat those costs.

Dreager opened an account for public donations at Horizon Community Bank at 225 N. Lake Havasu Ave. under “A Gift From Above.” He said he has received several corporate pledges from local businesses.

He is also trying to start a nonprofit, under the same name, dedicated to raising money to supply solar systems to low-income residents at least four times a year.

“I feel great,” he said. “I feel a lot better doing this than doing a job for money. It’s one of those things that make you feel good, especially this time of year, no doubt. I think it will make a difference in her life.”

For more information on Dreager’s project, he can be reached at 928-486-1176.

You may contact the reporter at jleatherman@havasunews.com