Junior Volunteerism Acclaimed as Two Millbury Students will Light the Christmas Tree at the Asa Waters Mansion Bandstand on Sunday, December 5, 2010.

Submitted by Catherine Elliott and Carol Vulter, Co-Presidents of the Friends of the Asa Waters Mansion

Each year the Friends of the Asa Waters Mansion select special individuals to have the distinction of lighting the Christmas tree on the Mansion’s bandstand for the grand finale of the annual Chain of Lights festival. This year the Friends have bestowed this honor to two of their Junior Volunteers, Marissa Moquin and Tim Born for their exceptional display of commitment to the Mansion and their community.

Both Marissa and Tim were born and raised in Millbury and attend Millbury schools. Marissa, 13, is an 8th grader at Millbury Jr. High School, and according to her mother, Betsy, “Marissa has always been one to volunteer.” Mrs. Moquin states Marissa has always been fascinated to think that such an important person (Asa Waters) lived in Millbury.  She has enjoyed going to the Mansion for the Chain of Lights (seeing the house decorated and all the women in period costume was something she looked forward to each year). Marissa has participated in the Chain of Lights by singing at the Mansion and playing with the Shaw Jazz Band.  She attended her first tea a couple of years ago with her grandmother and learned she could volunteer for the Friends.  “She really thought the opportunity to help at the mansion was special.” Marissa has helped the Friends with many events, working in the mansion Gift Shoppe, and most recently assisted with hand watering the gardens this year during drought conditions.

Tim Born, 15, is in the 9th grade at Millbury Memorial High School and recently earned placement on the honor roll. Tim was voted by teachers for the “Woolie Pride Character Award”.  Tim is on the Environmental Council and a Peer-Ed Advisor, and is also in the Youth Leader Academy Program with the Blackstone Valley Educational Foundation.
He is working on his Life Rank in Boy Scouts, has been an alter server for 6 years at St. Brigid’s Church; and with Catholic Samaritans at Work, and he occasionally volunteers at the Mustard Seed. Tim has been a part of the Asa Waters family since he was a very young boy, attending meetings with his mom, Pauline Tranter. He has been a Junior Volunteer at the Asa Waters Mansion for several years, serving as a butler at our tea parties and helping with almost every fund raiser and event hosted by the Friends of the Asa Waters Mansion.

The Friends understand the importance of getting youths involved in volunteering, not only so youngsters understand the importance of giving to one’s community, but also seeing the rewards. The Friends of the Asa Waters Mansion are caretakers of this historic site, and realize that each generation must pass the baton to a new generation –we feel fortunate that there are those gearing up to receive this baton.

Of all the events we host each year it is this multigenerational Christmas Festival which makes us most proud, to see young and old come together in the center of the community to enjoy the holiday season is a very special day for the Friends of the Asa Waters Mansion.

Those wishing to see the Tree Lighting can gather at the bandstand on the grounds of the Asa Waters Mansion at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 5 to hear the Millbury Elmwood Street School Chorus sing holiday carols prior to the illumination of the tree by Marissa and Tim. For more details regarding the Millbury Chain of Lights see www.millbury-ma.org or www.asawaters.org

The Asa Waters Mansion located at 123 Elm Street, Millbury, Massachusetts is on the National and State registers of historic sites.