NORTHAMPTON — Officials at Smith Vocational & Agricultural High School are seeking the public’s help to replace nearly 350 tools and computers that were destroyed when the forestry education building caught fire last week.
The school has posted a running list of needed donations online and plans to share a link in the coming days that would allow for monetary donations. For now, checks made out to “Friends of the Farm” can be sent directly to the 80 Locust St. school.
Donated items must be new. The list asks for the replacement of 48 shovels and 18 spades of different varieties, rakes, hoes, pickaxes, brooms, wheelbarrows, pruning saws, power grinders, 15 Chromebooks, other pieces of technology and more.
Gift cards from businesses that the school patronizes are also accepted: W.B. Mason, Amherst Farmers Supply, A.M. Leonard, Tractor Supply, Foster Farrar, Florence Hardware, Yes Computers and OESCO Inc.
On the afternoon of May 23, more than a half-dozen local fire departments responded to a fire in Building E, the school’s horticulture program. Coincidentally, Northampton Fire Rescue had an engine on scene at the time because a crew was delivering fire extinguishers to the school.
State investigators said the fire, which started in a garage bay, was likely caused by a hot riding lawnmower that had been parked too close to a wall where rags, tarps and other combustible items were stored. No people or animals were harmed.
Northampton Fire Rescue estimated the damage at $525,000 and school leaders said they would need to demolish most, if not all, of the building.
The previous night, high winds blew off a section of the Building D roof, forcing students to temporarily relocate to different classrooms and shops while crews made emergency repairs. The city received special authorization from the state to make the repairs without going out to bid.
Reached on Tuesday, Smith Voc Superintendent Andrew Linkenhoker said he wanted to “really thank the community for stepping up” and the city for its efforts. He said conversations are underway at the state level to possibly provide assistance after the fire and officials are researching grant opportunities as they consider whether to rebuild from scratch or save undamaged sections of the building.
“We have a plan, but it’s not set in stone quite yet,” Linkenhoker said, adding that officials are “in a holding pattern” as they await guidance from the school’s insurance company.
Other vocational schools in the state, he said, have approved donations to Smith Voc, but they have not arrived yet. Linkenhoker said he would detail the donations if they arrive as planned.
“Your generosity speaks volumes and proves we have the best foundation of current students and families as well as alumni and supporters,” the school said in a recent Facebook post. “Again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you and we will rebuild, stronger and better than ever!”
The full, running list of needed donations can be found at https://loom.ly/Ohj1I-k. Anyone with questions can call (413) 587-1414.
“As we have new needs, we’ll continue to add to that list,” Linkenhoker said. “We’ve already received a few donations, as far as the hand tools. We’ve begun to receive monetary donations and gift cards.”
A benefit event to raise money for the rebuild is possible, he said, but there are too many unknowns right now to plan ahead.
“I think those fundraising initiatives will be brought to the front burner,” he said. “We’re trying to get our ducks in a row.”
Seniors have completed their coursework and will graduate on Thursday in a 6 p.m. ceremony at Smith College’s John M. Greene Hall. The three lower grades finish school on June 14.
In the meantime, forestry students are using temporary classrooms and performing their hands-on work outdoors, as usual, using the tools that were not damaged.
Brian Steele can be reached at bsteele@gazettenet.com.