Southport philanthropist Paul Coulombe recently donated $10,000 to the Boothbay Region Fuel Fund, a charitable service committed to keeping local families warm during the winter.

Coulombe and other businesses and individuals, including Jason Schlosser, Scott Larson, Jen Orchard, Jan Kelly and Pauline Dion, have recently been instrumental to insuring that 100 gallons of fuel can be delivered to each family struggling to heat their home.

In November of 2013, the Fuel Fund had granted about $7,000 to area residents this winter. But with generous donations from Coulombe and others, the current balance of the Fuel Fund has reached $29,206 as of January 13, according to Deputy Treasurer Tracey Hyson at the Boothbay Town Office.

“We are very grateful to (Coulombe) for that donation,” said Boothbay Region Community Resources President Susan Wilson. “With the higher prices for oil, you're talking almost $400 per delivery. It will help many people.”

The Fuel Fund was created in 2008 under the Boothbay Region Community Resources organization, and is having one of its most successful years, Wilson said. 

“I think it's fantastic,” said Kit Sherrill, a former chairman of the BRCR. “With this extra money it will mean we will be able to help people out a little bit more as the winter grinds on.”

On January 10, the Loaves and Fishes To Go fundraiser raised an additional $1,500 for the Fuel Fund, according to Sarah Foulger of BRCR and the Congregational Church of Boothbay. 

According to Foulger, last year more than 300 qualifying families received a one-time delivery of fuel through the fund. While the Fuel Fund looks to be in better shape compared to previous years, there will always be a need to help out the less fortunate.

Through the various programs coordinated by BRCR and Community Navigator services, residents can help out by joining the Top It Off Club and making a donation to the Fuel Fund during a fuel delivery, or by sending a donation to the Boothbay Region Fuel Fund, c/o Town of Boothbay, P.O. Box 106, Boothbay, ME 04537.

For more information, visit the Boothbay Region Community Resources website.