Tillotson Coaticook Region Fund donates $124,600
This fall the Tillotson Fund will be distributing $124,600.00 to 41 organizations. The checks will be made available Oct. 22, 2020 and can be picked up at the MRC Coaticook 294, rue Saint-jacques North in Coaticook. Monday-thursday from 8 a.m. until noon.
I would like to thank all the volunteers who work tirelessly for their organizations and our partners at the MRC Coaticook and the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
While I’m thanking people, I think Mr. Neil Tillotson should be mentioned also. If not for Neil Tillotson, this fund and many of the charitable organizations supported by it would not exist today.
Neil Tillotson is said to have been born in Canaan Vermont on Dec. 16, 1898 but in actual fact, he was born on Hereford Hill in Quebec. Neil didn’t finish high school, but he got into the latex rubber business early in life and achieved success with one of his first products, a balloon with cat ears. Once he saw the smiles on the kids’ faces, Neil knew he had a winner.
Over the years Mr. Tillotson built many companies, most of them revolved around latex rubber. He began Best Glove Manufacturing in 1978. He bought the old Penmans factory in Coaticook. I worked there for 32 years and Mr. Tillotson never took any profits from the company.
When Neil Tillotson died in 2001, he was 102 years old. He owned companies in the USA, Canada and Guatemala. He also owned the Balsams, a resort in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire as well as Hereford Mountain and 13,800 acres of land.
Wanting to give back to the communities that helped him succeed, most of his wealth was donated to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. Estimates are close to $100 million.
He also donated the Hereford Mountain and 13,800 acres to the village of East Hereford and St-hermenegilde. This had never happened before in
Quebec and when first offered, the two towns were not sure if they wanted the gift or not.
The Park is larger than Mont Megantic Park and Hereford Mountain is higher than Mt Orford. There is a 360-degree view from the top and can be accessed by car. The public is welcome.
The Tillotson Coaticook Region Fund was awarded $3,000,000.00 US funds in 2012 and since then we give back to the community the interest and earnings. We do not touch the principal. All of our committee members are volunteers.
The Tillotson family no longer has businesses in the Coaticook area but the Tillotson Fund remains in place helping the community. I am very proud of our little glove company in Coaticook and proud to have known Neil Tillotson.
I am writing this to inform the community of where this money comes from but also to encourage other local successful businesses to give back.
Thoughts from Mr. “T” : be humble, be kind and be creative.
Submitted by Michael Everett President, Tillotson Coaticook Region Fund