Valentine’s Day 2017 proved to be a memorable one for 12 households, thanks to the heating oil company Colby & Gale, Inc., in Damariscotta.

The recipients, who included couples, were each surprised with chocolates, flowers, a card signed by all the employees  — and a free oil tank fill-up.

Manager Matt Poole, a member of the board of directors of Maine Energy Marketers Association (MEMA), said this wasn’t the first Valentine’s Day surprise for some oil companies, but it was the first for his.

“This was the result of a pilot program that we (MEMA) started last year. Augusta Fuel was the first participant. They did well and got good feedback. This year we wanted to get more companies involved.” Four more participated.

Each company chose the individuals or families they felt could use a little help. The recipients have homes in Damariscotta, Newcastle, Bremen, Bristol, South Bristol and Walpole.

Poole said they were totally taken off guard. “We told them that we were required to do a mandatory oil tank  inspection  to make sure that their oil tank was safe. They were all definitely surprised and happy. We filled their tanks. One only took 80 gallons, but a couple took over 200.”

Poole said a few of the delivery locations had not had the two new feet of snow in their driveways, from the blizzard on Feb. 13, plowed, so Colby & Gale did that, too. “We had to plow and sand before the delivery. A few of them questioned why their driveways were being plowed, and I just said ‘Oh, we must have gotten the wrong driveway.’” When he showed up later with the flowers, chocolates and free heating oil, they understood the plowing. “They were fine with it,” he said with a laugh.

“It was a fun day. We plan to do it again next year, but I’ll have to come up with another excuse for showing up so they don’t guess what we’re up to. Maybe we’ll do it the day before or the day after Valentine’s Day.”

See a video of a Valentine’s Day surprise at http://www.maineenergyfacts.com/.