Orr's & Bailey Islands Fire Department Awards Annual Scholarship

September 2, 2013

Megan Perry of Orr’s Island had been awarded the annual Sue Cary Scholarship by the Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department.

Perry, wife of fire department Captain Danny Perry, received $4,500 to help her pay for tuition and expenses as she seeks a master’s degree from the University of Southern Maine School of Social Work.

“I am very proud to be a fireman’s wife,” Perry said in her application for the scholarship. “The goal for our family is to stay in town and be able to raise (our son) Declan in Harpswell … Danny and I work hard to maintain our home financially and this scholarship would be absolutely amazing to help my family afford my education and all the hopes and ambitions that come with it.”

A graduate of Mt. Ararat High School, Perry earned a degree in sociology from St. Joseph’s College in 2008 and was hired as a child protective caseworker for the state Department of Health and Human Services. She currently works on child protection assessments in Westbrook, Scarborough and South Portland.

“I love the role I play in children’s lives, the connections I make with community members and the adrenaline of responding to emergency calls along with first responders to work towards safety and stability for the children on my caseload,” Perry said.

As part of her education, Perry will intern with an organization working in communities to prevent child abuse and neglect before it happens. Perry said she plans to work on developing services in the Brunswick area, so she can put her education and experience to use in her home town.

Perry was presented with the scholarship during the fire department’s annual fundraising auction in August. The presentation came shortly before a specially baked blueberry pie was auctioned off for more than $1,000 to raise money toward future scholarship awards.

The Cary scholarship, intended to help recruit and train department members, is available yearly to high school graduates or GED holders who are residents of Orr's and Bailey Islands or the portions of Great Island served by OBIFD. Preference is given to current responding members of the department, probationary members and immediate family of responding members. Applications are distributed and accepted in the spring.

The volunteer department provides fire and rescue services for Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island east of the Mountain Road bridge and south of the Nazarene Church on Route 24. 

For more information about becoming an OBIFD fire, rescue or supporting volunteer, e-mail volunteer@obifd.org, visit the department's web site at www.obifd.org or call 833-5199.