Aroostook Aspirations Initiative’s 2016 Gauvin Scholars are gearing up for the 2017 County Service Challenge, slated this year on Wednesday, June 7. The challenge is a day in which Gauvin Scholars lead community service projects in Aroostook County, based on service platforms they selected last July.
Each scholar takes a different approach, and some join together to increase the potential impact of their project. Several are working with animal shelters in The County to increase awareness of volunteer opportunities at local animal shelters. Sarah Watt, the 2016 Bangor Daily News Gauvin Scholar, is pairing up with 2016 Katahdin Trust Company Gauvin Scholar Megan Cole, and both are working with the Houlton Humane Society to help care and play with the animals.
“Humane centers have a lot of animals in them, mainly cats and dogs. It can be very overwhelming to take care of all those animals in a day,” said Cole. “We want to show people that they can go to a humane center and get a cat or a dog instead of going to a pet shop. We also want to engage more people in volunteering and show them that taking a day and helping an area such as an animal shelter can be really fun.”
They invite members of the community to volunteer some of their time during the June 7 challenge day, whether it be walking a dog, cleaning a cage or keeping an animal company.
Scholar Mariah Lane is focusing her service in southern Aroostook at the Oakfield Railroad Museum. The museum would like to create an education program to teach elementary aged children about the importance of the railroad, have the ability to apply for grants, and strengthen the education program.
“I plan to create an educational video of some of the railroad exhibits, like the caboose, and show it to children in their classrooms,” said Lane, who also serves on the museum’s board of directors. “We are the only railroad museum in the State of Maine, and by creating this educational video, we will be able to help educate more students and get more money to better the program.”
Kaitlyn Parady is helping the Fort Fairfield Historical Society with some spring cleaning they need completed before the Potato Blossom Festival. Part of her project includes scraping and painting the outside of Friends Church.
“If I can gather enough volunteers to complete the project for them, the Historical Society will not need to spend money to get the project completed,” said Parady. “Aroostook County has such an amazing history, and it’s important that we take care of the buildings and artifacts that we have now so that future generations can also learn about the history.”
Other scholars will work on service projects involving the Presque Isle Boys and Girls Club, Mars Hill community cleanup, Central Aroostook Humane Society and environmental education.
Jordyn Madore, AAI’s intern and scholar coordinator, said the variety of the projects are impressive, and the dedication the youth have for their communities is very rewarding.
“It’s really exciting to see our Gauvin Scholars put their ideas into action by collaborating with community groups and organizations all over the County,” said Madore. “You can really see each of their individual personalities and interests in their projects, and I think this event is a great way to show the larger community the commitment our students have to the region and their futures here.”
For more information on individual community service projects, visit gauvinfund.org/csc. To learn more about Aroostook Aspirations Initiative, visit gauvinfund.org, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter AAI/GauvinFund or e-mail them at info@gauvinfund.org. Donations can be made online, in person at AAI, 754 Main Street Presque Isle, or by mail: 26 North Street Box 138, Presque Isle, ME 04769.
