Saturday, April 11th, 2020
Celina band receives $30,000 donation from Tipp City man
By William Kincaid
Submitted Photo
Celina High School band members and director Chuck Sellars pose with Tipp City resident Bill Mote, far right, earlier last month after Mote donated $30,000 to the program. Mote said his favorite part of the evening was seeing the look on the Sellars' face.
CELINA - A Tipp City man has committed to donating $30,000 to the Celina High School band after being deeply moved by their performance and conduct at a Celina football game last fall.
Bill Mote presented a giant check to the band at their concert last month. Mote was the caregiver of Dorris West McMillan, who had no children. He represents her trust, which will fund the donation.
"God placed me into the position of trustee … to make sure the money reaches the people and organizations that need it most and will use it wisely," Mote said on Friday.
The Mercer County Civic Foundation, which cultivates, manages and disburses charitable resources, has already received $15,000, which will go to the band. The final installment will be made in 2022, according to executive director Carol Hone.
Mote said he was attending a Celina football game to watch his niece Amielle Abner in the marching band.
"I knew this was the place for a donation. The way parents and students worked hard to help the band, at the concession and raffle stands, proved their dedication and love for the group," Mote said, per transcripts of the donation ceremony. "Seeing (band director Chuck) Sellars, and the various groups in the band, including the percussion section, lead the crowd and have fun with what they do, reminded me of years of fun and hard (work)."
Hone said the band's display of energy and musicianship touched Mote.
"Bill was also very involved in music in high school and college, and he told me, the day he walked into my office, and I quote: 'I am who I am today because of marching band.' " she said. "And if you've never been a part of a band, you can't explain the camaraderie."
District superintendent Ken Schmiesing hailed the gesture as a stunning contribution, one of the largest individual donations to the district during his tenure. Officials are still weighing how best to spend the money, but it likely will help with purchasing badly needed new uniforms, he said.
Board of education president Bill Sell said he, too, was taken aback upon learning of the generous windfall for the band.
Doris West McMillan drove a school bus for 27 years for Piqua City School District, Mote said. She also played the accordion as a little girl.
"She drove the band kids and sports team for Piqua for many years," he said. "Many years ago I met Doris after the death of her husband and was asked to take care of her trust, including getting to choose where her funds in the trust would be distributed at her passing."
