Marquis family donates to CMA 2014

BIG CHECK – The 2009 Marquis Family Reunion President Judy Ayotte Paradis (second left) and Reunion Archivist Sr. Jackie Ayotte (first left) are shown presenting (from left to right) Congrès Mondiale Acadien Maine President Jason Parent, Family Reunion Chair Norm Cyr and CMA Maine Coordinator Lorraine Pelletier a $4,500 check as an investment in the local Maine economy, specifically for putting on the August 15, 2014 Eucharistic celebration by helping with an infrastructure that would remain on site. The Marquis Family Committee encourages others to make similar commitments to assist the once-in-a-lifetime effort in the St. John Valley. ''Our ancestors built us a good life here by their hard work, tenacity, generosity of spirit and strong enduring faith. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring honor and appreciation to a great people. The committee decided and voted early on in the Acadian Festival Family of the year planning process that any money left after the bills were paid would be given to the CMA. Most families take on these reunion efforts from scratch with much anxiety and trepidation. We relied on the collective experience of the previous 33 reunions, and we were successful,'' said Paradis. - Contributed image