DIXFIELD — Isaac “Ike” Libby was honored by the U.S. Senate on Thursday morning for his efforts to help keep the homes of those in need warm last winter.

Diane Jackson, staff member of Sen. Olympia Snowe’s office, told Libby and several local officials that Libby and the efforts of his crew at Hometown Energy were recognized on the floor of the U.S. Senate on June 25.

On Thursday, that recognition was presented to Libby.

“Hometown energy is the quintessential small business that makes sure its customers are taken care of,” Jackson said.

An article in the New York Times last year about the difficulty many Mainers had in heating their homes and on Libby’s small business, with the high cost of fuel, drew more than $250,000 in donations from around the country.

Libby set up a system to disburse heating funds to more than 300 local families. He said a small part of that money remains to allocate this year, but he welcomes people to make additional contributions for the upcoming heating season at hometownenergyllc.com.

Libby, who employs seven people, didn’t expect to be recognized by the U.S. Senate. He was clearly moved by the honor. He also had some opinions on how to help those in need to get through the winter.

“The money the government gives to subsidize oil companies should be put into a heating oil fund for those who really need it,” he said.

Jackson said Snowe wanted to make sure Libby was appreciated for all the work he had done.

Libby has also been named Dixfield’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year.

Attending Thursday’s honor were Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky, Selectman Bob Withrow, Dixfield police Chief Richard Pickett, Community Concepts economic developer Glen Holmes and several Hometown Energy employees.

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