St. Mary’s Bank recently sponsored three Marines from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion 25th, Londonderry, New Hampshire in the annual Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament held on May 21st.

The credit union had adopted the Marines of this battalion last year when the company was deployed overseas. St. Mary’s, its members and employees provided the company with 100 calling cards and set up collection stations at each of its branches so that members and employees could make monetary donations, drop off food or personal items.

In early May the credit union was contacted by Walter Gallo, one of the tournament’s organizers. He heard of St Mary’s support of the battalion and was seeking $500.00 for three of the members of Company B to play in the annual tournament, which raises scholarship money for the children of Marines. Tom Champagne, Director of Business Development and Marketing, told Walter that St. Mary’s would sponsor the three Marines and also make a $200.00 donation to the scholarship fund.

The money came from donations collected from St. Mary's Bank, its members and employees. “It’s great to be able to continue our support of these soldiers who have served us so courageously, and these sponsorships allowed us to do it in a personal way, while at the same time assisting in a great cause,” observes Champagne.

"The quick and generous response of St. Mary’s really means a lot to these young soldiers and to all of us,” says Walter Gallo. “This tournament supports a great cause, and we make a point of doing it right. It’s the only golf tournament I know where our country’s colors are presented by a full dress blue Marine color guard prior at the beginning. Before you get fed, you get a good dose of patriotism.”

The mission of the Marine Corps Scholarship program is to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships for higher education to deserving sons and daughters of Marines and children of former Marines, with particular attention being given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action. Since 1962, the program has awarded more than 20,000 scholarships and bonds totaling almost $31.2 million, including $2.2 million to 977 scholarship recipients in 2006. For more information on this program visit www.marine-scholars.org.