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FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS, August 27, 2007 … Mallory Rousseau of Fitchburg was the winner of two separate education awards made recently by Fitchburg ME Federal Credit Union.

In May, she was announced as the winner of Fitchburg ME’s 7th Annual Higher Education Award. The $500 award is made each spring to a graduating Fitchburg High School senior.

Later in the year, Mallory won again, for her entry into the Credit Union’s 11th annual Higher Education Award essay contest reviewed by an independent panel of judges. She received another $500 award for that accomplishment.

Mallory is now a student at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. Her winning essay follows:

The Luxury of Volunteering
By Mallory Rousseau

Someone once told me that volunteering is a luxury, one that not everyone has the opportunity to do. As a young and naïve teenager, I didn’t quite understand this assertion until I truly experienced it for myself.

I grasped the silver cross hanging from a chain on my neck. I took a deep breath and made my way down the stairs of the plane and into the blinding sun of an unfamiliar world. My first impression of Haiti was an apprehensive one. As I made my way through the airport with the four other missionaries I traveled with, dark faces stared blankly at us. At this moment I questioned myself as to why I was even there. What difference could I possibly make to all these people?

I soon realized that I couldn’t make a difference to all of these people, but I could make a difference to a few; especially Ivachelle, a malnourished six-month-old baby girl. I spent of my time feeding her, giving her medicine, and even making her laugh. She had an unusual sparkle in her eyes, and I knew there was hope for her. I knew there was hope for all the people in Haiti, as long as they kept getting help from people like me.

In the days that followed, all the qualms I had about the trip completely vanished. Never in my life had I seen people work so hard and smile so much. They lived in the worse poverty, yet had such pure hearts. Everyone in the village was so grateful just to be able to laugh and breathe, and it completely changed my perception of life.

On the way home, I thought not only of the people I had touched, but of the people who had touched me in so many ways. They taught me to be grateful for all the blessings I have and to live everyday to the fullest. It was the most eye-opening experience of my life and I will never forget the people I shared it with.

As the wheels touched the ground, I looked out the window at a place that was so familiar to me. It was home. However, I walked off the plane with a much different outlook than I had got on with. I’ve learned that the best luxury in life isn’t one you can buy, but it’s the feeling you get when you help someone in need.

Fitchburg ME Federal Credit Union, founded in 1957, is located at 65 North Street in Fitchburg, with a Student Branch at Fitchburg High School and online banking services at fitchburgmefcu.com. Deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation (MSIC).

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		Mallory Rousseau is winner of two education awards from Fitchburg ME Federal Credit Union FITCHBURG, MASSACHUSETTS, August 27, 2007 … Mallory Rousseau of Fitchburg was the winner of two separate education awards made recently by Fitchburg ME Federal Credit Union. In May, she was announced as the winner of Fitchburg ME’s 7th Annual Higher Education Award. The $500 award is made each spring to a graduating Fitchburg High School senior. Later in the year, Mallory won again, for her entry into the Credit Union’s 11th annual Higher Education Award essay contest reviewed by an independent panel of judges. She received another $500 award for that accomplishment. Mallory is now a student at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. Her winning essay follows: The Luxury of Volunteering By Mallory Rousseau Someone once told me that volunteering is a luxury, one that not everyone has the opportunity to do. As a young and naïve teenager, I didn’t quite understand this assertion until I truly experienced it for myself. I grasped the silver cross hanging from a chain on my neck. I took a deep breath and made my way down the stairs of the plane and into the blinding sun of an unfamiliar world. My first impression of Haiti was an apprehensive one. As I made my way through the airport with the four other missionaries I traveled with, dark faces stared blankly at us. At this moment I questioned myself as to why I was even there. What difference could I possibly make to all these people? I soon realized that I couldn’t make a difference to all of these people, but I could make a difference to a few; especially Ivachelle, a malnourished six-month-old baby girl. I spent of my time feeding her, giving her medicine, and even making her laugh. She had an unusual sparkle in her eyes, and I knew there was hope for her. I knew there was hope for all the people in Haiti, as long as they kept getting help from people like me. In the days that followed, all the qualms I had about the trip completely vanished. Never in my life had I seen people work so hard and smile so much. They lived in the worse poverty, yet had such pure hearts. Everyone in the village was so grateful just to be able to laugh and breathe, and it completely changed my perception of life. On the way home, I thought not only of the people I had touched, but of the people who had touched me in so many ways. They taught me to be grateful for all the blessings I have and to live everyday to the fullest. It was the most eye-opening experience of my life and I will never forget the people I shared it with. As the wheels touched the ground, I looked out the window at a place that was so familiar to me. It was home. However, I walked off the plane with a much different outlook than I had got on with. I’ve learned that the best luxury in life isn’t one you can buy, but it’s the feeling you get when you help someone in need. Fitchburg ME Federal Credit Union, founded in 1957, is located at 65 North Street in Fitchburg, with a Student Branch at Fitchburg High School and online banking services at fitchburgmefcu.com. Deposits are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation (MSIC). Click here to close this window.