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ROBBINSVILLE: Area business gives back

By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Packet Media Group
PRINCETON — Jim Cordiano served in the Navy from 1967 to 1970 aboard the USS John F. Kennedy doing air traffic control aboard the aircraft carrier.
Now living in Robbinsville with his wife of 44 years, Sandra, the 70-year-old veteran said they finally decided to hire a professional to clean the windows, a chore they’d been doing themselves for years.
"We saw an ad for Window Genie and thought ‘why not try them out,’" he said. "While on the phone, Robin (the owner) said they offered 25 percent off to veterans, which we thought was great. It wasn’t until it came time for me to pay when she surprised us and told us the cleaning was on her. It blew my mind. I thought she was kidding."
On Thursday, Sept. 11, Robin McKenna, of Belle Mead, and her team at Window Genie of Princeton surprised the local Vietnam War era veteran with a free window cleaning at his home. Ms. McKenna said she and her staff are dedicated to giving back and keeping an active presence in the community because, "it gives us a chance to connect with the people in our hometown."
"I told him we offer discounts to veterans, which we do, but since his appointment was on Sept. 11 I felt it was only right to tell him this one’s on me," Ms. McKenna said.
Prior to opening her Window Genie location in Princeton in March 2014, Ms. McKenna had been very involved in the community serving as a Girl Scout Leader, United Way Day of Caring organizer and a member of the Somerset Valley YMCA parent board and parent volunteer.
"I’m a born and bred Jersey girl and always knew when I opened this business that I’d continue finding ways to give back and grow the business through meaningful customer relationships," Ms. McKenna said. "When I learned Jim was a veteran I couldn’t wait to surprise his family with a free cleaning. It’s the very least we can do to say thank you for his service."
As far as how the cleaning service was, Mr. Cordiano said, "I like the results. Window Genie has a very satisfied customer. The team finished 
our house in less than three hours, … I’ve already handed out some business cards to neighbors because I want to help a business that deserves it."
This isn’t the first time Window Genie honored a veteran.
"In the spirit of Memorial Day a few months ago, we offered a free cleaning to another local Vietnam War era veteran," Ms. McKenna said. "This customer had Window Genie out to his home to clean some windows on his patio because he was planning a surprise birthday party for his wife.
"Upon learning about this man’s military service, and knowing how special the party was that he was planning for his wife, we were touched. We were happy to tell him there’d be no bill this time. We do this to show our gratitude and build a relationship with customers that lets them know we care about them and are truly appreciative of their military service. We’re not just a window cleaning business, we’re here to make a difference in the community whether it’s by sprucing up someone’s home or making their day a little brighter with the gift of a free cleaning."
Window Genie is a locally owned and operated home service franchise specializing in window cleaning, window tinting, pressure washing, gutter cleaning and more. Ms. McKenna is the owner and her business serves the central New Jersey areas surrounding greater Princeton as well as Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Window Genie of Princeton would like to continue giving back to local families this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Now through Oct. 31, Ms. McKenna is taking referrals/nominations for families currently battling breast cancer in the area. Her team would like to offer a free window cleaning to help these families focus less on keeping their home clean, and more on simply fighting and getting better.
"We understand how difficult and exhausting it can be dealing with treatment, and household chores aren’t the priority, so we want to help out the best way we know how, with a window cleaning," Ms. McKenna said. "It’s not just about having clean windows, we want families to know that their community is here to lend help and support in hopes they can just focus on healing and getting better. You can find our team sporting our hot pink, pink ribbon Window Genie shirts all month long as our way of participating in raising a little awareness and sparking conversations about the importance of regular screenings for early detection. If wearing our shirts reminds one woman to get a mammogram, we’ll have been successful."
The community is encouraged to refer a friend, family member or neighbor in the greater Princeton/Mercer County areas to [email protected] or 609-917-4338.
Ms. Mckenna added that she is planning to do a canned goods food drive beginning in November.
"I will be letting all my November and December customers know that we will be collecting canned goods at the time of service and donating it to the local food banks for the upcoming holidays," she said. "The community service will continue into the coming years. It’s part of who I am and I was delighted to learn that it is part of the Window Genie corporate culture through the Windows for Wishes program."