Quirk Auto awards $9,000 in scholarships to EMCC students
QUIRK AUTO GROUP CELEBRATES THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY BY AWARDING $9,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO EASTERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS
BANGOR, ME —On Thursday, November 30th, during Eastern Maine Community College’s 2023 Business and Legislative Reception, Quirk Auto group presented three EMCC students with scholarships totaling $9,000. This year, Quirk Auto Group marks its 50th anniversary in Maine, with locations in Augusta, Bangor, Belfast, Portland, and Rockland. Annually, its 400+ employees donate a portion of their Christmas bonuses to local charities, a sum matched by the Quirk Boys: Jack, Bob, Tom, Jim, and David. This year, celebrating half a century, they are proudly funding two automotive tech scholarships and a Chief Donald Winslow Scholarship for law enforcement training.
Jack Quirk spoke on behalf of Quirk Auto Group and said: “We want to thank our employees. Every year we pass out Christmas checks and they return 10% of that. We probably end up giving out between $60,000 and $70,000 dollars to different area organizations, so thank you!”
The Quirk Auto Group Scholarship (previously known as The Johnny Quirk Memorial Scholarship) was established as a renewable scholarship at the Eastern Maine Community College Foundation in 2006 by Jack & Bunny Quirk to benefit students at EMCC. The award honors an individual who spent his career in the automotive service industry and whose children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren continue his legacy through the automobile industry today. This year recipients are William Lewis and Sylas, both enrolled in the Automotive program at EMCC.
“Thank you, donors of the Chief Don Winslow Scholarship, for your support and for providing the things I need to eventually be helping people. I haven’t yet determined whether I want to join a career as a prosecutor or as a defender, regardless, I have one less problem on my path to concern myself with, thanks to you.” Said William Alley, who received the Chief Don Winslow scholarship and is a student in EMCC’s Criminal Justice program. The Chief Donald J. Winslow Memorial Scholarship was established to give Maine high school graduates an opportunity to further their education and acquire skills needed for gainful employment.
The primary focus of the EMCC Foundation is to support the educational work of the Eastern Maine Community College in this region. This is done through individual and corporate donations of equipment and supplies, program-specific wish lists, and student scholarships, like the ones awarded by Quirk Auto at yesterday’s event.
“EMCC Foundation is grateful Quirk Auto Group employees continue to select our Automotive program for their scholarship donations. These funds help students who otherwise may not have access to needed funds to purchase tools, equipment or even pay for books. The Quirk Auto Group Employee scholarship and the Chief Don Winslow scholarship create pathways that students need to become successful in both their employment and in their communities.” Said Terri Adam, EMCC Foundation Executive Director.