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OUR PURPOSE

The purpose of the Grand Foundation is to provide funds to organizations, groups and individuals to foster growth and opportunity especially concerning youth, education and our local communities. Grand Appliance and the Grand Foundation were built on the foundation of helping others.

Odny Reckling, daughter of the founder Fredrik Hjelmeland, actually spearheaded the opening of Head Start in Lake County in the mid 1960’s. Head Start provided early childhood education to underprivileged children living in Waukegan, IL and other parts of Lake County, IL. Odny’s husband, Fred Reckling, was also a beacon in the community and was always willing to step up when a family was in need of a fridge, stove etc.

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WHO WE ARE

Fred and Odny Reckling, Second generation owners of Grand Appliance and TV.

The desire to help others trickled down to the subsequent generation when Barb Reckling, wife of the current President and owner, helped in beginning the non-for-profit organization Transitional Housing. Transitional Housing was based in Waukegan, IL and it provided homeless mothers and families transitional housing and assistance to regain independent lives. Barb also worked for numerous years helping out with Habitat for Humanity. She traveled to Africa, Hungary and Nepal building homes with Habitat. Although helping out our local community is a priority of the Grand Foundation, we recognize the global importance of helping people everywhere.

The commitment to helping others has now seeped down to the fourth generation of Grand Appliance family members and employees. Helping the community and people in need is a part of the Grand culture.


Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’
— Dr. Martin Luther King