Monson Rotary Club honors tornado volunteers

Every year, the club names a citizen of the year, but after the tornado struck on June 1, 2011, so many people came to town to help that they could not single out just one person.

Wyatt Aloisio photoMembers of the Monson Rotary Club provide food during the Concert on the Lawn in downtown Monson on Tuesday. The concert was held to dedicate a memorial plaque and give thanks to those who aided in the recovery from the June 1, 2011 tornado.

MONSON — The Monson Rotary Club on Tuesday night honored the hundreds of volunteers who helped rebuild the town of Monson after the 2011 tornado.

Every year, the club names a citizen of the year, but after the tornado struck on June 1, 2011, so many people came to town to help that they could not single out just one person, Monson Rotary Club Michael O'Grady told the crowd that gathered downtown at Dave Grieve Park.

"All nominations received this year were related to the tornado relief effort. A number of individuals were nominated and in a normal year, the efforts and contributions of each of these individuals would have made them likely winners. We all know this has not been a normal year ... While much has gone into the rebuilding of Monson, the collective efforts of all the volunteers provided the glue that helped rebuild the community," O'Grady said.

A granite stone – found on Rotarian Jeanne Bailey's Ely Road property after the tornado – was dedicated in the volunteers' honor "so that we and future generations never forget," O'Grady said.

View full sizeWyatt Aloisio photoThis granite plaque was dedicated honor of the volunteers who helped in recovery efforts in Monson following the 2011 tornado.

It reads: "Forever Grateful to all the Volunteers who Participated in Monson's Recovery from the Tornado of June 1, 2011."

Geri Laferriere, who was with her husband Michael, benefited from volunteer help at their tornado-damaged Ely Road property.

"We could not be where we are today without the volunteers," Geri Laferriere said.

She said they wanted to see the volunteers who helped them, volunteers like Timothy White of Palmer, Alison D. Hill of Monson and the Chase & Sons chainsaw team, based in Ludlow, which features teens Shane and McKinley Chase.

"They're like family now," Laferriere said.

White called the event – which featured free food courtesy of Bailey and Monson Village Pizza – "great for volunteers."

"It was a tremendous group effort on everyone's behalf," White said.

Pastor Robert Marrone of First Church of Monson delivered the invocation. Bishop Anthony Maffeo gave the blessing. State Rep. Brian M. Ashe, D-Longmeadow, also attended. Entertainment was provided by the Dan Kane Singers.

Rotary District Gov. Eileen Rau said there is nothing "more frightening than the fear of losing one's home or one's town." She commended the volunteer efforts, and noted rotary's commitment to "service above self."

State Avenue resident Thomas Gilman, who had volunteers help rebuild his pool cabana, called the event "wonderful."

Karen C. King, who founded the Street Angels tornado volunteer group, said "it's definitely a night to remember."