Franklin Advocate
Milwaukee Tool donates $10K to FCCTC in honor of Wentworth
By Paul Keane, Franklin Advocate
Students at the Franklin County Career and Technical Center — especially those in carpentry, welding and construction trades classes — will be the main beneficiary of a $10,000 donation from Milwaukee Tool.
The check was presented to the center on Monday by Vice President of Accessories Manufacturing Jack Bilotta and United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. The donation was also made in memory of Nigel Wentworth, who was tragically killed in an accident at the center two decades ago. An overhead door came loose and fell on him, causing him to suffer fatal injuries.
Members of Wentworth's family were also in attendance for the check presentation Monday.
"Any time we hear about kids working in construction trades, we want to try and help," Bilotta said. "To do it in honor of Nigel Wentworth — which was a heart-wrenching tragedy — is a privilege for us. "We like to help kids in Mississippi any way we can."
Bilotta said the company operates three facilities in Greenwood, Grenada and Jackson and also have five locations in the Southhaven area.
"Milwaukee Tool is proud to support the next generation of skilled trades professionals through this donation," Bilotta said during the formal presentation. "We make it a priority to invest in the communities our employees call home.
"We're honored to make this contribution in memory of Nigel Wentworth, whose legacy continues to live on in this community."
Hyde-Smith said he remembered when she learned about the accident.
"I was on the floor of the Mississippi Senate when I got the call about the tragic accident," she said. "Because I grew up in this area, the tragedy hit close to home for me. All of these years, it stuck with me.
"Since then, the inspections have been upgraded and are now more stringent for safety issues."
The Senator said she had the opportunity to honor Wentworth's memory after meeting with Milwaukee Tool recently.
"People have asked me why I waited 20 years," Hyde-Smith said. "I had a meeting with Milwaukee Tool in my office, and I told them the story about Nigel. We can't forget this tragedy, and they (Milwaukee Tool) suggested a donation to help the program.
"Milwaukee Tool is such a good company for Mississippi and I am happy to work with them to enhance a program that meant a lot to Nigel."
Construction Trades Instructor Kristie Jones said the donation will be invaluable to the entire center.
"We're always struggling to find money for tools and supplies and to travel to competitions," she said. "Every program at the center is fund raising for various competitions.
"We're going to Wyoming to rebuild things in an old mining town. The program only takes 25 students from around the nation, and five or our students were chosen this year. We leave on Father's Day and will be in a trades camp for a week. They are going to work hard during the day, but then will also be able to do some sightseeing such as learning about the Oregon Trail. We are trying to raise money for travel and then the program will cover the cost of food, lodging — which will include sleeping on cots — and other expenses. This is a working trip and it's not going to be just a fun trip.
"Just having something such as this donation is great for the center."
After the presentation, officials with the center took Hyde-Smith, Bilotta and other officials on a tour of the facilities.
"We like to stay involved with programs in Mississippi," Bilotta said. "We're going to tour the facility and see how else we may be able to help."