Bruce Springsteen’s new single, “We Take Care of Our Own,” could easily serve as the soundtrack for reporter Dan Barry’s story about a little town in Maine, where neighbors depend on one another to survive the long, cold winters. (See The last word.) Retirees Robert and Wilma Hartford, who live on $1,200 a month, had nothing left to pay for the fuel oil they needed to heat their old home. Desperate, Robert went to see Ike Libby, a co-owner of a small oil company called Hometown Energy, pleading with him to take the title to his 16-year-old Lincoln as collateral for some heating oil. Libby, who is known around town for the largeness of his heart, had already extended the couple $700 in credit, and he didn’t even know them personally.
When the story first appeared last week in The New York Times, it unleashed a wave of generosity from readers. Thousands of donors—“from everywhere,” Libby said—called and sent envelopes full of cash and checks. When I phoned Hometown Energy this week to see how things were going, Diane Carlton, who works the front desk, said that after four days the total had surpassed $180,000—and donations were still coming in. “Unbelievable,” she added. The Hartfords’ oil tank is filled, and a local company is winterizing their 19th-century wooden home for free. Libby is now creating an emergency trust fund for others who need assistance. “We’re going to be able to help a bunch of people,” said Libby, fighting back emotion. “You can’t even put it into words. America’s got a heartbeat, and we are hearing it.” The Boss couldn’t have said it any better.
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