Supplied by Soo Mill… (SAULT STE. MARIE, ON): 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.