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Believing in giving back to the community, the pioneering Trethewey family donated the first monetary gift to the Parks and Recreation Committee in 1978. They requested that the funds be used to maintain and upgrade the Mill Lake Centennial Park area - land which had been donated to Abbotsford in the 1930's by the Trethewey family for all to enjoy.
Believing this area to be a diamond in the rough, the Trethewey's wished to see it brought to its full potential, and realized that funds were needed in order to bring their vision to life. The Mill Lake jewel that we all know and love could not have been possible without the Tretheweys' generous gift.
The family was also sympathetic towards Abbotsford's youth and seniors. Feeling especially grateful to the many who risked their lives at war for our freedom, they asked that part of the gift be directed towards seniors. A free bus service was instituted for seniors in remote areas, in order to bring them into town for shopping.
Nowadays, there are no "remote" areas in Abbotsford! The bus tours run a little father afield, with seasonal bus trips to Vancouver. Thousands of seniors have taken advantage of the summer PNE trips, and the winter excursions to see the wonder of the Christmas lights.
More than twenty years later, the initial donation remains intact, with only the income on the funds being spent annually, according to the Trethewey's request. Community-spirited citizens like the Trethewey family have bolstered the Abbotsford Community Foundation's power to help our city. The Abbotsford Community Foundation's capital fund exceeds four million dollars.
Tretheway House
photo by Jon Van Putten, The Abbotsford News