Hopkinton residents pitching in for warmth

With a touch of autumn already in the air, a handful of Hopkinton residents are making sure their neighbors will be ready when winter’s grip returns to area residents and their heating bills.
Spearheaded by Mary Congoran, the Wood for Warmth wood bank has been created, allowing residents in need to collect firewood for the upcoming winter. Though still in its fledgling stages, Congoran said she hopes to name the bank after fallen Hopkinton police officer Sean Powers.
Thanks to the generosity of Steve Clough, Congoran said, the bank has been set up at the Hopkinton/Webster transfer station and will operate according to the station’s hours. People who need wood will have to call Hopkinton’s Human Services department to obtain a voucher and bring that voucher to the transfer station.
More than anything, though, Congoran is encouraging everyone to make sure that their neighbors are well taken care of this winter.
“We’re asking people to go back to the old times and get out in the neighborhood and find out who your neighbors are. Are they in trouble? Do they need help? Do they have wood they can donate?” Congoran said. “The bigger point here is we really want neighbors to start checking on neighbors. We don’t want to overlook someone.”
To that end, the wood bank began as part of the sixth annual Contoocook Carry, a triathlon that Congoran created. Seventy-five percent of the proceeds from this year’s race will go directly to fuel assistance (the other 25 goes to Hopkinton’s Interact Club), and Congoran is encouraging anyone to donate wood at the event, which takes place Sunday, September 21 (go to www.hopkinton-nh.gov and click on the Visitor’s Info link for more).
Those who wish to donate wood can bring it to the transfer station. Congoran encouraged the donation of cords of split firewood, though there will be piles of several kinds of wood at the bank. She said she expects most to be seasoned hardwood, preferably in 16-inch pieces. There will also be an area for unseasoned wood.
Congoran said there will be volunteer days to help cut and stack the wood. Training will be provided for those unfamiliar with cutting wood, and waivers will be signed by the participants.
She also said that Clough will have the power to turn unusable wood away, and encouraged people to use their best judgment when dropping off.
“I want people to ask themselves, would they burn the wood they are bringing in themselves?” Congoran asked.
Another key figure in the formation of the bank has been John Herrick, who, along with his mother, was instrumental in the creation of the Contoocook Carry. Herrick’s mother recently passed away, and Congoran opted to dedicate this year’s Contoocook Carry to her memory. Rather than name the bank after her, though, Herrick has encouraged the use of Powers’ name.
“It’s about shelter for people and it’s totally happening because of community, and that's what Sean was all about,” Congoran said.
Congoran is asking people to get involved any way they can, whether it’s contributing wood from their yards, helping to transport, cut or stack the wood or donate to the general fund for fuel assistance in Hopkinton.
Things are off to a fairly good start. Several donations have already been made, including one from Jeff Dearborn, a longtime resident who owns Old Yankee Tree Service. Given that beginning, and the spirit of the community in which she lives, Congoran believes the wood bank will be a smash success.
“It’s not always the big picture of federal fuel assistance, it’s what happens along the way,” Congoran said, returning the focus locally. “I have total confidence in this community.”
Congoran can be reached in regards to the wood bank at woodforwarmth@hotmail.com, or by calling 529-2692.