The Augusta Kids-Kin Grandparents’ Support Group for individuals raising a relative’s child recently announced that applications are available for the Bill Giasson Memorial Music Camp Scholarship. The scholarships are intended to encourage and enable students to participate in a music camp experience of their choice. The wards will range between $100 and $300. Students living in a kinship home, will receive priority. Approximately 20 scholarships will be presented this summer.

GSG members chose a music camp scholarship to honor Giasson because he loved children and music. As a teacher, he told his students each day that he was glad to see them and that they were special; As facilitator to the grandparents support group for 10 years, he guided the group in their challenges. His other love was country music. He sang the familiar stories of love and loss, and disappointment and hope to his many fans and friends on the country music circuit including the Main Academy of Country Music (Bob Elston and others who have been instrumental in the fund raising event). Bill sang to his student and he felt that music could be used as an avenue for communication and healing. He also realized that respite from daily stresses could energize families and strengthen them. By melding the essence of this kind man into the Bill Giasson Memorial Music Camp Scholarship, GSG members acknowledge the legacy of Giasson and are providing an avenue for the group and for others who have been touched by Bill;s kindness and his service.

Members are supported by both Maine Kids-Kin and Adoptive, Foster & Kinship Families of Maine which are statewide organizations which offers information and referrals on legal, financial and family challenges and provide many resources for kinship families. for more information, or to request a scholarship application, call Jan Partridge at 495-3864, Jan Strout at 582-5784, or Donna Lufkin at 582-6583.


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