Gary Dolloff of Rumford, left, is one of three people who received free heating oil from Dixfield Discount Fuel during Fuel Your Love, a Maine Energy Marketers Association promotion, on Valentine’s Day. The company selected Dolloff to thank him for his community service. With him are, from left, Dixfield Discount Fuel Vice President Cary Bradbury, oil truck driver Anthony Young and office manager Katie Houghton. Submitted photo
RUMFORD — A local fuel business helping people heat their homes is seeking donations.
Katie Houghton, manager of Dixfield Discount Fuel in Rumford, said the idea for Help Fuel Our Community-River Valley, came after the business participated in Fuel Your Love, a Maine Energy Marketers Association promotion on Valentine’s Day to fill oil tanks of selected people in the area.
“After seeing this Fuel Your Love campaign, we had friends, family and customers reach out to us and wanted to jump on board with us to help others,” she said.
“We need people who are willing to donate,” Houghton said, “With these prices and these temps, so many are struggling more than they ever have. We speak to many people who need this help. Every penny will be put towards oil, kerosene or propane.”
When Dixfield Discount Fuel staff was discussing starting a program, a customer paying his oil bill heard them and passed them a $100 bill, Houghton said.
After announcing the program on its Facebook page, Houghton said, “Our first donation came in the mail from Florida — a family friend that still lives in Weld seasonally. They mailed us a check of $375.
The company has also received another $200 cash donation, she said.
To donate, people may call the company office weekdays at 207-562-0972 to donate via phone with a debit or credit card, or mail a check with a notation “Help Fuel Our Community” to Dixfield Discount Fuel, 1180 Route 2, Suite 6, Rumford, ME 04276.
People may also donate through the company website at www.dixfielddiscountfuel.com.
Houghton said she and Vice President Cary Bradbury will select customers they know need help.
For the Fuel Your Love campaign, the company chose Gary Dolloff, Kevin Jamison and Monterey Dunn to have their tanks filled.
“These people are deserving community members,” Houghton said. “We wanted to give back to others who have done so much for our community.”
Dolloff and Dunn are military veterans; Dunn recently moved back to Dixfield.
Houghton said Dolloff, of Rumford, has stepped up in so many ways to help the community. Jamison works at Aubuchon Hardware in Rumford and leads many GoFundMe pages and helps anyone who needs assistance, including fire victims.
“This is our way of showing that we see what you are doing/have done to help, and we wanted to show them that their actions are not going unnoticed,” Houghton said.
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