The Chic and Billy Miller Endowment Fund has awarded money to the Olds Lending Shelf and the Olds Historical Society this year.
The society has been awarded $1,000 to research and produce mobile storyboards that tell the stories of 16 historical sites in Olds. The boards will be on display in local businesses during the Olds College centennial weekend in June and will be on display in the Mountain View Museum in July and August. Following that, they will be available for display at various venues throughout the community.
The Olds Lending Shelf has been awarded $250 that will be used to purchase storage bins for used clothing the organization distributes to people in need. Lucinda Watkins, co-founder of the lending shelf, said the bins will better help the organization store the clothing until it's needed. The organization helps single parents, those on financial assistance, women leaving abusive situations, the working poor and large families. Anyone wanting more information about the Olds Lending Shelf can contact 403-438-0273.
“The last few months have been really busy,” Watkins said, noting that 129 children have been given gently worn clothing since the beginning of 2013.
Mayor Judy Dahl, one of three members of the awards committee, said one of the reasons the historical society was awarded the funds was Chic's affinity for history and the society's commitment to preserving it.
“He really treasured history and really was a strong believer of walking tours in the community for education in history,” Dahl said.
As for the Olds Lending Shelf, the committee felt that since Chic was always willing to help the less fortunate, the organization's mandate fit Chic's approach.
“We're proud that Chic and Billy live on in our community,” Dahl said.
The endowment fund was created by Chic, who was a businessman, author, philanthropist and community booster and supported projects that met the needs of the community. The fund is invested through the United Church of Canada with the stipulation that interest generated from the fund is disbursed to community organizations each year.
