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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-05-11, Page 3Wednesday,May 11, 2005 Exeter Times—Advocate 3 $ 5 million donation solves Trivitt's financial woes By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — The extra- ordinary generosity of a former Exeter Villa resi- dent has given new life to Trivitt Memorial Church and has allowed the church to make substan- tial donations to the com- munity. Mildred Grimes, origi- nally from Toronto, retired to the Exeter area in the mid-1980s, and eventually into the Exeter Villa in the early 1990s, where she lived until her death at 98 in December 2003. In her will, Grimes left a whopping $5 million to Trivitt, which had been facing financial chal- lenges. As a result of Grimes' bequest, Trivitt's money worries are a thing of the past. The church won't touch the principal amount of the donation — the $5 million has been invested, and rector's warden Marion Astle said the interest will be used to make donations in the fol- lowing categories: com- munity programs world- wide, the Huron Anglican diocese and to the local community. South Huron District High School's music department found itself a beneficiary of Trivitt's plan when the church presented music teacher Bob Robilliard with a $50,000 donation early last week. A $37,000 donation was also made to theological education at Huron College. As Astle explained, Grimes' donation has completely turned things around for the church. "It's a joy," she said, adding that before Grimes' donation, the church was worried about being able to pay its heating bills. Now, not only can the church take care of its own expenses without any worries, it can help others. "We've gone from great concern to joy. Now we have the pleasure of mak- ing donations and taking care of our brothers and sisters." While born and raised in Toronto, Grimes' con- nection to the Exeter area began as a child, when she would visit cousins in the area. Her mother was born and raised in Usborne Township and Grimes and her family would attend Trivitt while visit- ing the area. Grimes was married to Matt Grimes, an executive with CPR, in 1949. Twenty-eight years Mildred's senior, he died in 1977. The couple had no children. Mildred Grimes was a successful business- woman in her own right, making wise investments. At one point, Grimes had more shares in Bell Canada than the chair- man of the board. Grimes attended busi- ness college, worked for a time at Kodak and then Victory Mills, run by leg- endary Canadian busi- nessman E.P. Taylor. "She certainly was smart about business," Edna Sims of Exeter says. Sims, whose mother-in- law was a first cousin with Grimes, was closer to Grimes than anyone in the area. "We had some wonder- ful times together, and I'll never forget her," Sims says. Sims describes Grimes as "very musical," unfail- ingly polite and someone who had a great sense of humour. "She was an interesting lady. She was tall, stat- uesque, and she had these beautiful blue eyes." Grimes moved to Exeter in 1987, and then into the Exeter Villa in 1994. She was a Presbyterian all her life, but started attending Trivitt again when she moved to the area — she loved the building, knew the church Mildred Grimes, who died in December 2003, left Trivitt Memorial Church $5 million in her will.The donation has solved the financial challenges the church was facing and has allowed the church to make donations to the community. (photo/submitted) was in financial difficulty and decided to help out. The fruits of her suc- cessful career have been passed on to Trivitt. "Now we have no fears," Astle said. "This building will be here for- ever." Astle said members of the congregation were shocked when they heard about the $5 million donation, since many were worried about the future of the church. Church member Karen Brown said it took a while for everyone to wrap their heads around the idea they were receiving such a large donation. Astle said the church chose SHDHS's music department as a recipient because it involves youth and because it is an excel- lent community program. Also, music is a big part of the Anglican Church's liturgy. "Not every child wants to be an athlete," Astle explained, adding the music program is good for students' self esteem. "To see the joy on the students' faces (during the donation) was won- derful," she said. Brown pointed out the high rate of participation the music department sees at the school. She said most schools are happy to have 10-15 per cent of their students enrol in a music depart- ment — at South Huron, 25 per cent of the student population is involved in the music department. "That shows the strength of the program," Brown said, adding that such programs are expensive to rim. Trivitt also surveyed its members and South Huron's music depart- ment was one of the choices the congregation made. Robilliard described himself and his music stu- dents as "pleasantly shocked" at the $50,000 donation. In his 18 years at South Huron he said there's never been a donation so large to the school's music depart- ment. "That amount of money is unheard of," he said. Robilliard first heard about the donation a month ago when principal Jeff Reaburn and Brown approached him and asked him to make up a "wish list." With the money, the music department will buy "a lot of percussion equipment which will bring us up to a level of something like the London high schools," Robilliard said. The school's 20 -year-old music instruments will also be refurbished for about $10,000. Robilliard said the school's music depart- ment started as a commu- nity and board of educa- tion -based program and has received "excellent support" from both areas. He thanked the church and said he looks forward to the partnership that has formed between the church and the music department — the band will play at the Exeter Villa once each semester and perform a concert each year at Trivitt. Trivitt has several other donations planned for the community in the future. Astle said there are many worthwhile causes. The church is planning an Oct. 2 Thanksgiving Day service to give thanks for Grimes' donation. Thanks to Mildred Grimes' donation to the church,Trivitt Memorial is now in a position to make substantial donations within the commu- nity.The church recently donated $50,000 to South Huron District High School's music department.At left, music teacher Bob Robilliard receives a cheque from Trivitt congregation member Mildred Northcott. Members of the church and the senior band surround them. (photo/submitted) Year of the Veteran: anniversary of V.E. Day By Lillian Beer HENSALL — May 8 marked the anniversary of V.E. Day. Sixty years ago there were glorious celebra- tions for some, looking forward to the return to their loved ones, while to so many it brought a great deal of sadness and tears for loved ones they had lost, left only with pictures and memo- ries of so many brave men and women. Even though the Victory in Europe was won, the war in the Pacific lasted until Aug. 15. 1945 when V.J. Day was announced. So, appropriately, this year has been named. Year of the Veteran. Did you know in World War II that 1,031,902 male Canadians and 49,963 female Canadians served; 44,927 died and 53,145 were wounded, 8,271 were taken prisoners of war, 1,146 mer- chant seamen died by enemy action. Canada had more men and women serving under arms per capita than any other Allied country. "At the going down of the sun and in the morn- ing, we will remember them." WOMEN TODAY OF HURON 4 214 4 4114 444,,,,e4 '.. Her Cay ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINc THURSDAY, JUNE 9, 2005, HURON COUNTY MUSEUM, GODERICH 5:30 pm - Reception 6:00 pm - Annual General Meeting 6:30 pm - Guest Speaker - Colleen Purdon "Getting Women's Voices Heard in Municipal Politics" Snacks and Social to Follow FOR MORE INFO: PLEASE CONTACT WOMEN TODAY OF HURON 524-6767 OR 1-888-547-3478 OR INFO@WTHURON.CA