ATHOL – Ron’s Fuel, Inc., according to company owner Pam Kingsbury, boasts some 2,500 customers, and she’s hoping to have the chance to thank each and every one of them. Ron’s will be celebrating its seventh annual Customer Appreciation on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The day will consist of a lot more than just a hand-shake and a ‘thank you.” There will be plenty of entertainment, professional advice, drawings, food, and giveaways to attract patrons and non-customers alike.
Prizes for drawings will include $500 in heating oil, kerosene, or diesel (customer’s choice), two burner cleanings, and four gift baskets worth more than $250. Local companies and businesses which have each contributed a $25 gift certificate to the baskets include: Amish Country Crafts, Athol Glass, Déjà Vu (women’s consignment), Flint’s Garage, Flowerland/Tintagels, Jon’s Automotive, Mt. Tully Kennels, Original Tire, Pete’s Tire Barns, S&S Appliance, and – of course – Ron’s. Drawings for the baskets are free.
“It’s important to support local businesses,” said customer service representative Lisa Elliott. “We want to spread the word about them and those that do business with us. It’s important that businesses in town all support each other.”
For entertainment for kids and adults alike, Ed the Wizard will be on hand for part of the day. Ed will make balloon animals for the younger set between 3 and 5 p.m. then, at 5 p.m., he will perform one of his popular magic shows.
Visitors will be able to grab a free snack during the event. Hot dogs will be available between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and from 4 to 6 p.m.
For those on a tight budget, representatives from the New England Farm Workers’ Council and from Community Action will be on hand. The NEFWC will be accepting new applications for fuel assistance, while folks from CA will be taking new account and recertification applications. Appointments are necessary, so be sure to call Ron’s Fuel at 978-249-3548 to set up a time.
Leo Berthiaume of the Burner Guys, and Joe Chiasson of J.W. Chiasson & Son, will be available to discuss their services. Each has offered one of the free burner cleanings to be raffled off. Winners will be announced at the end of the event.
Delivery of the fuel oil to be given away in the raffle must be in one of the nine towns served by Ron’s Fuel. Those include: Athol, Erving, New Salem, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Wendell, and Wawick. Kerosene and diesel deliveries are available in Athol and Orange.
Also on hand will be a representative of Lincoln Labs, who will provide information on their tank guard program. Lincoln Labs provides services and products that enhance oil tank safety, as well as protect homeowners against the high cost of tank replacement.
According to company owner Pam Kingsbury, Ron’s Fuel was started in 1986 by her father Ron, with a lot of help from her mother Shirley. Pam assumed the business when her father passed away in 2002.
The company offers automatic delivery and 24-hour emergency service. Kingsbury’s son, Aaron Briggs, who recently joined the company, has earned his burner license and it’s anticipated Ron’s will be able to add burner service to it’s offerings in the near future.
Ron’s has also purchased a “fuel cube,” which will allow contractors to fuel-up vehicles, generators, and other equipment without having to travel to fueling stations that may be located at an inconvenient distance from the work site.
Ron’s is located at 575 South St. Currently open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, winter hours will begin Oct. 15. At that time hours of operation will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
“We’re getting excited to celebrate with our customers,” said Kingsbury. “We want to show we appreciate them and everything they do to support us.”