The philanthropy of a long-time Trenton couple is benefitting several local entities to the tune of $1,065,725.
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The late Hazel and Everett Frey established a trust prior to their deaths from which 14 entities have received funds – some of which have been given for a specific use while the remainder was distributed with no strings attached.
Nearly $350,000 had already been distributed to several entities through certificates of deposits and annuities that the Freys had accumulated over the years. The remainder of the estate was distributed today, with over $720,000 going to four groups to the tune of $189,000-plus. Those entities included North Central Missouri College, Hodge Presbyterian Church, the Grundy County-Jewett Norris Library and the Grundy County Historical Society. The funds distributed today were unrestricted and it will be left up to the recipient as to how those monies will be spent.
The $189,000 given to NCMC brings the total to $294,000 that has been distributed from the estate to the college since Mrs. Frey’s death. Included in that total is $107,000 that has been designated for scholarships. The Freys several years ago had given a $50,000 donation to NCMC, which was used to purchase the Frey Administrative Building.
Hodge Presbyterian Church also received funds earlier from Mrs. Frey, who was a long-time member. Their final bequeath from the estate was $250,625.
In addition to the library and historical society, other amounts have gone to the Grundy Center Cemetery, Sires Cemetery, the Presbyterian Children’s Home and the School of the Ozarks, $18,625 each; the Trenton Park Board, Trenton High School Alumni Foundation Trust and OATS, $15,000 each; the Grof and Hamilton cemeteries, $9,300 each; and the Butterfield Youth Services, $5,000.
The Freys were native Grundy County residents and both attended Trenton and Grundy County schools as well as the Hodge Presbyterian Church. They were also active in many civic organizations, including the Trenton Lions Club, the Riverside Country Club, the DAR and the Trenton Business and Professional Women, just to name a few.
Mrs. Frey was an astute business woman and spent her career working for Southwestern Bell, retiring in 1959 after 34 years of service. She held the position of chief operator and was in charge of over 50 telephone operators. Frey was a long-time employee of Gardner and Skinner Appliance Store and was very well know in the Trenton community for being able to repair most any electrical or mechanical device that was set before him. The couple traveled extensively and had no children.
After her husband’s death, Mrs. Frey set up the trust to benefit the couple’s interest in several charitable and not-for-profit groups. Trenton attorney Jack Peace served as the trust attorney for Mrs. Frey and noted that she had given much thought as to where she wanted her money to go after her death. Gary Black and Russell Joiner served as administrators of the estate and Black noted that Mrs. Frey patterned her giving after that of the late Bert and Rose Hoover, who have set up a foundation that distributes money to worthwhile activities within the community. However, Black said that Mrs. Frey was interested in giving her money to entities for use immediately rather than having to wait for a specific time, thus the disbursement through the trust.
Representatives from the entities receiving funds in the last few weeks have expressed extreme gratitude of the Freys’ generosity, which Black said Mrs. Frey hoped would be looked upon by others as an inspiration for them to considering doing the same thing – making a contribution to benefit the community.
Photos have been taken of several of the entities who have received funds from the Frey Estate and will appear in the Republican-Times throughout the next few weeks.