Thrift Brothers named Philanthropist of the Year

The Tri-County Technical College Foundation named Thrift Brothers, Inc. the recipient of its 2017 Philanthropist of the Year award. This is the Foundation’s highest and most prestigious honor reserved for individuals, foundations, companies, trusts, organizations or other entities that have made a significant financial contribution, either cash or non-cash, to the Foundation to support the work of the College. On behalf of to the company’s co-founders Sam and Tom Thrift, Marcia Hydrick, daughter of Tom Thrift and vice president of the company, and her husband, Tim Hydrick, accepted the award. Grayson Kelly, executive director of the Foundation, presented the award at the College’s Annual Report Luncheon held Oct. 24. Thrift Brothers, Inc., of Seneca, has been a loyal donor to the Tri-County Technical College Foundation since 1994. Sam Thrift served on the Tri-County Technical College Foundation Board from January, 1995, until March, 2004. In 2016 Thrift Brothers continued its support and commitment to the advancement of the College by making a $300,000 gift to support campus expansion. “Their love of their community is demonstrated through donations which support education in the tri-county service area. They recognize that Tri-County graduates are their future employees and see the importance of employees needing skills in forklift operation, truck driving, accounting, and mechatronics,” said Kelly. Thrift Brothers’ initial gift of $30,000 in 1994 established an endowed teaching chair. This endowment supports the professional development of faculty in the business program and allows its faculty to attend conferences to learn state-of-the-art technology and training techniques. Thrift Brothers made a $10,000 endowment gift in 1999 that has been instrumental in supporting Tri-County’s mini-grant initiative. Faculty and staff apply for these mini-grants on an annual basis to support their attendance at seminars and workshops, advanced course work or other professional development activities. Additionally, Thrift Brothers, Inc., has supported the College by contributing funds for many Foundation-sponsored golf tournaments and other fundraisers. To date, Thrift Brothers, Inc., has given a total of $356,300 and is recognized on the College’s prestigious Wall of Honor.