HADLEY — Limited opportunities to hold fundraisers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including at its signature Celebration of Lights event that kicks off the holiday season, is causing the Edward Hopkins Educational Foundation to find a new way to bring in money.
With widespread vaccinations and asparagus season commencing, the foundation is using three Saturdays to sell asparagus-related merchandise, as well as both historic bricks and new pavers, said Kathy Tudryn, president of the foundation’s board.
Last Saturday, and on May 8 and May 15, representatives were to be at the gazebo adjacent to Hopkins Academy, 131 Russell St., from 9 a.m. to noon each week, rain or shine, with several items for sale.
T-shirts, hats, bags and buttons, all with an asparagus logo and reading “Grown in Hadley,” are available.
The foundation is also selling memorial bricks from the historic Hooker School that was demolished to make way for the new Hadley Library, and pavers for the sidewalk on Academy Lane in front of the gazebo.
Proceeds will fund grants to teachers at both Hopkins and Hadley Elementary School for projects, materials and programs outside the regular budget process.
For more information about the events, call 413-244-2036.
