EASTHAMPTON — Rain did not put a damper on the Thunder in the Valley charity festival, which raised some $3,000 for 21 local charities, including $500 for the Easthampton Toy Program.
The May 1 motorcycle rally and fair hosted by the Widows Sons Stone Cutters chapter featured live music, wrestling and food at Millside Park. The money raised from the event has been distributed to charities ranging from Shriners Childrens Hospital to Relay for Life to the Easthampton Toy Program, according to Mike Perrier, vice president of the Widows Sons chapter.
Perrier said members of the group are also Freemasons and believe strongly in faith, hope and charity.
“I’m very grateful to them,” Mayor Karen L. Cadieux said. “The fact that they donated to so many charitable organizations is really impressive.”
Cadieux has run the Toy Program since its inception in 1994, when she worked in what was then the town administrator’s office. The program collects money to pay for two toys for children age 10 and younger during the holiday season.
Last year it provided toys to over 200 Easthampton families in need, along with wrapping paper and tape. In addition, the Helping Hand Society purchased books to go to gift recipients and each family also received a $25 gift card from Big E’s Supermarket. A group of women who knit weekly created hats, mittens and blankets for the children, Cadieux said.
Perrier said the chapter is already planning for next year’s festival, which he hopes will be even better attended with sunnier skies. He noted that the festival has something for everyone, not just motorcycle enthusiasts.
“We’re just trying to let the community know that we’re out there doing good things,” he said. “We’d like them to embrace it and hopefully they’ll participate.”
Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com.