PRESQUE ISLE — Machias Savings Bank recently partnered with Aroostook Aspirations Initiative (AAI) by making an initial $5,000 investment. The partnership allows the bank to continue to make a significant investment in Aroostook County by helping AAI invest in Aroostook’s children who have a college degree on their list of goals.
The bank’s history of giving matches perfectly with AAI’s mission to support first generation, economically disadvantaged students in Aroostook County who want to attend college or university in The County.
“We have long supported the youth of our area by providing scholarships throughout eastern and northern Maine,” said Chris Fitzpatrick, executive vice president of Machias Savings Bank. “The mission of AAI fits nicely with our desire to assist students from our hometowns gain a very valuable education to hopefully allow them to remain and prosper in Aroostook County.”
Sandy Gauvin, president and co-founder of AAI, commented on how much Machias Savings’ investment in the work of AAI will help the constant push to reverse the outward migration of Aroostook’s youth.
“Our young people are leaving our county at alarming rates. The outmigration statistics are staggering. If we don’t work together to reverse this outmigration, our communities may not survive,” she said. “The best way to reverse this outmigration is to help our youth get a good quality college education right here in The County. Right now, only 18 percent of the people in The County have a college degree. This needs to improve.
“As a graduate of one of Aroostook County’s colleges, I can attest to the quality post-secondary education that’s available,” said Gauvin. “We need to provide the same opportunity for more of our kids to get the education and skills they need to get one of the many jobs available in The County, stay here and raise their families here, and become an integral part of the economic fiber of Aroostook County. Thank you to Machias Savings for joining us by becoming a partner in our efforts to address these goals.”
The partnership is exciting news for AAI Executive Director April Flagg.
“Our Gauvin Scholars receive many things while they attend college in Aroostook. We offer them mentoring and guidance, financial assistance, emergency funding, and we offer the chance to network with community and business leaders from across Aroostook and the state of Maine,” she said. “Machias Savings’ investment helps support the structure for our Gauvin Scholars. It helps our organization move forward, invest in more young people, and help our County grow.”
The bank’s second year investment in AAI means a Machias Savings’ Gauvin Scholar will be included with the Gauvin Scholars Class of 2015.
For more information about AAI, to make a donation or to become a volunteer, call 760-0558 or visit www.gauvinfund.org.
