Clark officials are still waiting to hear whether they will receive state grant money to cover expenses from the Nov. 10 tornado.

But in the meantime, the tornado disaster relief fund for victims continues to grow, and plans to replace vegetation obliterated by the storm are taking root.

Mayor Doug Bradley said he expects to hear about the status of two state Department of Economic Development grants, one for $30,000 and one for $100,000, by Jan. 21.

Even though the borough and South Pymatuning Township have not received any state or federal funding to cover storm damage and cleanup, contributions keep rolling in to the disaster relief fund set up to aid residents affected by the tornado.

At Tuesday's council meeting, Bradley presented a check for $3,000 from National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. to Wil White, fund chairman.

"I just can't say enough about all the organizations, community groups and individuals who have contributed to the fund," Bradley said. "It just shows a great deal of effort on everyone's part in obtaining support for this fund."

With the $3,000 donation, the total as of Tuesday was $63,824, White said.

"We're still getting donations," White said. "This is the third check we've received today."

White said the fund committee has disbursed about $12,000 in the form of $100 checks. The committee will meet Jan. 22 to review applications from residents for money, then begin the second round of disbursements in mid-February.

Although the committee sent applications to residents, White is concerned not enough people will take advantage of the money because they may feel they don't need it.

"Our job is to decide who needs it," he said. "As far as I'm concerned if you lost a mailbox, a trash tote ... you should apply to this fund. We will decide who needs it."

Applications are due by the end of February.

The tornado not only destroyed homes, it also uprooted trees and shrubbery. That's why Penn State Cooperative Extension in Crawford County will hold "Restoring Community Landscapes," a landscaping workshop, from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 8. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Scott Sjolander, urban forester with the cooperative extension and certified arborist, said he contacted council earlier in the month about landscaping in the tornado-damaged areas.

"We have some good suggestions," Sjolander said. "These are things folks can do with public space, and things residents can do with their private property."

Sjolander and Frank Wiencek -- who also is a certified arborist, Penn State Master Gardener and owner of a landscaping company -- will conduct the workshop in the morning and then give suggestions to residents about their individual properties in the afternoon.

"We're going to have fun," Sjolander said.

"This is a great opportunity for our residents who have been hit with this tragedy," Bradley said.

A $1,000 grant for public space is available through extension's "America the Beautiful" program. That money would probably buy about 100 trees, Sjolander said. Bradley said money may also be available through the Community Development Block Grant program with the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission to buy trees and shrubs, and White said he suggested to area service clubs who want to help tornado victims to buy trees.