LITTLETON, Maine — Aroostook County retired educators met at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum on June 24 to start their summer luncheon meetings. More than 70 former teachers and administrators enjoyed a catered meal by the museum volunteers and a presentation by April Flagg of the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative.
Flagg conveyed the mission of the organization which is to provide significant opportunities for young people in the region to pursue their dreams, support higher education institutions and to bolster economic development efforts in northern Maine.
AAI was founded by Sandy and Ray Gauvin of Mapleton, who believe in paying it forward. The group has opened an office at 754 Main Street in Presque Isle. The AAI board has increased from 12 to 24 members with an honorary board of directors and several media partners. The Gauvins spearheaded a program to award 16 scholarships to graduates of Aroostook County’s high schools and these scholarships are renewable through the generosity of four participating colleges.
Flagg was also promoting the first-of-its-kind county-wide community service project slated for October. It will involve students from seven of the Aroostook County school districts. With this pilot program they hope to expand to more districts in the future. If any reader has ideas for community service projects these students can work on in your community contact Flagg at (207) 760-0558 or visit www.gauvinfund.org.
President Bob Souther of Caribou welcomed the attendees who came from Fort Kent to Dyer Brook and updated them on items of interest. The organization meets four times during the summer with the first luncheon held in Littleton, followed by: Tuesday, July 22 in Fort Kent with the program on “Hospice”; Tuesday, August 19 at NMCC in Presque Isle with program on “Legislative updates/remarks from the candidates”; and the final program on the “Affordable Care Act” set for Tuesday, September 23 at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.
Members of the organization bring donated food items to all of the meetings for local food pantries. They also donate school supplies to fill a backpack. These items are distributed to students in need.
All retired educators are welcome to join this group. Dues are minimal, but the information is priceless. Contact Souther at 498-8921 for more information.
