COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The legacy of the late Max Larsen in Coldwater continues, with a gift to the Tibbits Opera Foundation this week.
On May 16, 2017, Robert W. Shedd, Trustee of the Larsen Unitrust presented a $400,000 gift to the Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council. It is the intent of the Larsen Unitrust that the gift will assist in maintaining the operations of the Tibbits Foundation and Tibbits Theatre for at least the next decade. The funds will be distributed over a ten year period in conjunction with the Trust and Investment Management Group of Century Bank and Trust.
The Tibbits Foundation and the Tibbits Theatre have been a real success story in Coldwater and Branch County for a long period of time. In making this gift, the Larsen Unitrust pays tribute to the great number of Tibbits volunteers both current and prior who have helped maintain this important institution in the greater Coldwater community.
This gift is offered in memory and in honor of the late Mr. Max Larsen. Though Mr. Larsen died in 1998, his resources have continued to provide great benefit to our area. The Larsen Unitrust has been a part of a number of projects including previous gifts to the Tibbits Foundation and most recently, the Larsen Stadium at Coldwater High School.
“We are grateful to the Larsen Unitrust for this wonderful gift,” stated Christine Delaney, Executive Director for the Tibbits Opera House. “The entire idea of creating a Sustainability Fund specifically for the operation of the theatre, is a creative way to help Tibbits. This gift allows the board and staff to continue building a solid organization by making the kind of investments which will help the theatre to really flourish.”
