| Latimer gives $4M to Boy Scouts Council | | | The Middle Tennessee Council Boy Scouts of America has secured the funding necessary to ensure its new 1,500-acre high adventure reservation becomes a reality. Tennessee philanthropist William H. Latimer III, founder of Bill Latimer Investments Inc., has agreed to contribute $4 million to the project. The council will name the property in honor of Latimer and his contribution to scouting in Tennessee.
“Literally tens of thousands of youth from Tennessee and across the country will benefit from this generous gift from Bill Latimer, and we simply do not have the words to express our gratitude,” said Joe Long, executive director of the Middle Tennessee Council. “Bill shares our commitment to providing today’s youth with the opportunities and experiences that will shape them into the next generation of American leaders.”
The entire $4 million grant from Latimer is earmarked for the council’s recently-purchased property on the border of White and Van Buren counties. The location will be known as the Latimer High Adventure Reservation.
Latimer has been a leader in the commodities business for 20 years and serves as a member of the board of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee. He resides with his wife, Carol, in Union City, where he was elected to three terms on the city’s school board. He serves as the director of the Obion Grain Company, Mayfield (Ky.) Grain Company, Ethanol Grain Processers, Seeds Inc., Burger Bros. Grain Company, United Farmers Plant Foods, Arbor Healthcare and Rogers Oil Company.
Latimer earned the rank of first lieutenant in the U.S. Army after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He has three sons — William, Michael and Douglas. He was one of the principle contributors to the Obion County Public Library, is past chairman of the board of First United Methodist Church of Union City and past president of the University of Tennessee Martin Development Committee.
Latimer’s $4 million gift is the largest contribution to the Middle Tennessee Council in the organization’s 87-year history of providing young men and women with moral values and life-skill training through scouting. “Bill is a perfect example of sharing his time, talent, treasure and touch with the Boy Scouts of America,” said Long.
“Always remember, the true worth of a man is not in the material things he has accumulated during his life but in the manner in which he shares his wealth,” said Latimer.
The Middle Tennessee Council completed its purchase of the Latimer High Adventure Reservation in May. The property includes natural areas for caving, rappelling, canoeing, rafting, mountain biking, backpacking, hiking, camping and other activities. The reservation will be open to all Tennessee Scouts, Explorers and Venturers, as well as other collaborative non-profit and state government organizations, in late 2008. The council has launched a capital campaign to raise a total of $7 million to cover the land deal, loan interest, land development, basic equipment and some essentials to assure youth and adults get the maximum benefit from this new asset.
“Thanks to Bill, our funding is secure, and so is our vision of creating a high adventure reservation area that will attract youth from across the country to our beautiful state,” said Long. “Our fundraising efforts are not complete, but we now have full confidence that our vision for the property will be fulfilled.”
The six Boy Scout Councils in Tennessee presented their annual report to Gov. Phil Bredesen and James Fyke, director of Environment and Conservation, in February. More than 140,000 youth and adult volunteers are actively being served in scouting programs throughout Tennessee.
Published in The Messenger on 10.08.07 | | | | |
