G9 Financial shred event is a backbone of ‘Owen forever’
Volunteers helped collect documents for shredding at G9 Financial’s ninth annual fundraising shred event on behalf of the family of Owen Carrignan.
By Rod Lee
Ten years after his untimely death at the age of six, Owen E. Carrignan has not been forgotten by his parents, family members, friends and the town of Millbury.
A buoyant first grader at the Elmwood Street School, Owen was known for his infectious smile and love of sports and the outdoors. That he is sadly missed is reflected in a plaque and tree placed in his honor at the school, in a Facebook page dedicated to his memory, and in an annual shredding event hosted by G9 Financial in partnership with P. Pellegrino Trucking and Ray’s True Value.
Dan Girard of G9 Financial, an independent, growing investment and insurance-services firm established in 1999, with offices in Millbury and Franklin, is pleased to be part of a community carrying on Owen’s legacy; in Mr. Girard’s case by offering residents a chance to dispose of unwanted documents—every spring.
Dan Girard of G9 Financial, an independent, growing investment and insurance-services firm established in 1999, with offices in Millbury and Franklin, is pleased to be part of a community carrying on Owen’s legacy; in Mr. Girard’s case by offering residents a chance to dispose of unwanted documents—every spring.
“I’d been wanting to do a shredding event with proceeds going to a charity,” Mr. Girard said on the morning of May 14th in the parking lot of Ray Dubois Jr.’s store on Howe Ave. Upon learning of Owen’s passing, “I asked the family if we could choose them as a charity and they agreed.”
Shawn Carrignan and Michelle Girouard, both of whom were present on May 14th, are appreciative of G9 Financial’s support. Monies raised at the shredding event go toward scholarships for Millbury High School senior student-athletes.
“This year we are giving out six thousand dollars,” Ms. Girouard said. “We get a good turnout for this event. It comes in waves.”
“We stay pretty busy for four hours,” Dan Girard said. “We have raised about $50,000” since starting the initiative, he said.
The collection is a free service provided by G9 Financial and a cast of volunteers but donations of $20, $40, $60 or more are encouraged. When a man running past waved a greeting to Mr. Girard, he returned the gesture and yelled “hey, make a donation!”
Mr. Girard sees his efforts on behalf of Owen’s family as paying back for his company’s success.
“We’re blessed,” he says.
Contact Rod Lee at [email protected] or 774-232-2999.
