CONWAY — For those dealing with tree damage from the recent tornado, there will be a “Forest Salvage Information and Workshop” event March 29 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall.
“Representatives from (U.S. Department of Agriculture’s) Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency will be there, and FSA will report on their application for emergency federal aid for tornado relief,” reads a statement on the town’s website.
The event is sponsored by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.
An informational notice from the state advertises the workshop as “for Conway woodland owners seeking information about USDA FSA Emergency Forest Restoration Program Cost Share Funding, NRCS EQIP Practices Funding, Forest Cutting Plans, finding a licensed professional forester and logger.”
For more information contact Alison Wright-Hunter, DCR Service Forester, at 413-262-2370 or by e-mail at alison.wright@state.ma.us.
A fundraiser held at the Grammar School Sunday raised $3,747, said local resident Heidi Flanders, who helped organize the event. Proceeds were donated to Conway’s Tornado Relief Fund, set up by the town.
“The Conway Strong event was a great success. I would say we had between 50 to 100 guests from all around the valley,” Flanders emailed Monday. “There was a continuous reel of video and still photos on display for the attendees, drinks and snacks brought by all, a raffle and silent auction.”
Later, public officials held an informational session, provided updates and answered questions.
Flanders noted that the final tally from Sunday’s event doesn’t include a painting donated to the auction by Ashfield Artist Jim Murphy. Bidding on Murphy’s painting continued Monday at another fundraiser held at Chandler’s Restaurant in South Deerfield — bidding ended Sunday at $575.
As of Monday afternoon, about $90,000 had been donated in total to the tornado relief fund. Fundraising efforts are scheduled to officially end after Tuesday.