Soo Mill celebrates 100 years with big donation (3 photos)

Friends, local business figures and municipal leaders joined Soo Mill & Lumber Company President Lynn Hollingsworth and his family at Soo Mill Thursday as part of the company's 100th anniversary celebrations.

Speeches and a video presentation highlighted Soo Mill's history and the role it has played as a business and community partner in the Sault over the past century.

Fremlin Hollingsworth founded the company in 1915.

The business was eventually run by Fremlin's sons, Lynn, Simpson and Ian.

Soo Mill controller Ann Melville announced Soo Mill, in its 100th anniversary year, will donate $100,000 to worthy causes in the areas it services, namely Sault Ste. Marie and Elliot Lake.

The awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000.

A panel of judges will review applications for donations and will make its selections based on the merit of the projects and activities described in the applications.

Selection criteria and application forms are available here.

The application deadline is June 30, 2015.

It was announced The Back to Basics Children's Centre, located at St. John's Anglican Church, will receive $3,500.

At the Centre, located in the city's downtown core, children are served a good meal, receive mentoring, and are able to participate in various fun, safe activities after school.

"I was thinking my grandfather and my grandmother would be pretty proud we survived 100 years as a business and the generations have given back to the community and volunteered, and not just our family, but our employees have really given to our community through money and donations," Soo Mill & Lumber Company President Lynn Hollingsworth told reporters.

"I think that's what makes us proud, one to survive, and two, to be part of the community, to be a local firm that's done all that."

Given the challenges involved with running your own business for even one year, it is impressive Soo Mill has survived and thrived throughout the ups and downs in the economy over the past century.

"I think the secret is you definitely want to hire good people, you certainly have to value your customers, and we have a history over three generations of aways putting most of the money we make back into the business, so over the years the owners didn't take it out, they just reinvested it," Hollingsworth said.

"(It is important to) value your customers, hire great employees, retain your employees, keep investing in your business, and invest in your community and give back to those who have supported us for 100 years."

The following is a release from Soo Mill:

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Soo Mill & Lumber Company Ltd. – one of Sault Ste. Marie’s oldest and most successful locally owned businesses – is celebrating its 100th anniversary by donating $100,000 to innovative community projects that improve the lives of others.

Soo Mill will make the money available through individual awards ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to be presented in the Sault and vicinity, as well as Elliot Lake and area.

A panel of judges will review applications for support and make funding selections based on merit, including the uniqueness of projects, activities and ideas described.

Selection criteria and application forms are available here.

The application deadline is June 30, 2015.

To demonstrate how the donation initiative works, Soo Mill has selected the Back to Basics Children’s Centre as the first recipient organization.

Located in the Sault’s downtown core, the centre provides free after-school programing that includes a no-cost meal for children, along with mentoring to foster self-esteem, self-respect and respect for others.

“We are very proud to celebrate a century of service by adding a new chapter in Soo Mill’s long history of community involvement and support,” said company President Lynn Hollingsworth during a 100th anniversary launch event today.

“We believe this is another excellent way to contribute and, at the same time, express thanks to all those who support us.”

Soo Mill, its employees and the company’s owners, the Hollingsworth family, have long and generously supported community betterment in diverse ways which include a $4-million donation to the new Sault Area Hospital and a $100,000 contribution to capital fundraising campaigns at Algoma University and Sault College. 

Among the beneficiaries of company and employee commitments to giving and volunteerism are the United Way of Sault Ste. Marie and district, ARCH, the Soup Kitchen, the Group Health Centre, Rotary, the Canadian Cancer Society, The Lung Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, as well as many other worthwhile organizations and activities.

Meanwhile, on May 16 Soo Mill introduced weekly Saturday Community Barbeques at its Sault and Elliot Lake locations.

The events help charities, sports organizations and cultural groups raise money for their needs. 

Soo Mill provides the barbeque, burgers and hotdogs.

Participating fundraisers furnish the labour and keep all the proceeds.

The barbeques are scheduled to continue until the Labour Day weekend.

Soo Mill is a leading building supplier in the District of Algoma with stores in Sault Ste. Marie and Elliot Lake, and a roof truss manufacturing plant in the Sault.

The company was founded in 1915 by Fremlin Hollingsworth and is currently in its third generation of local ownership.

Soo Mill’s first retail outlet started on North Street a century ago.

Soo Mill Buildall began operating on Great Northern Road in 1986.

The Elliot Lake store opened in 1974.

A series of short anniversary year videos is being produced to tell the company’s story, written and created by Algoma University Hons. History graduate Kathryn Oliana.

The videos are being posted as completed at www.soomill.com.

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(PHOTO: Soo Mill President Lynn Hollingsworth, his uncle Ian Hollingsworth and City Councillor /longtime Hollingsworth family friend Susan Myers at Thursday's Soo Mill 100th anniversary celebrations.  Darren Taylor/SooToday)