Wilma Giffen Narrative
Wilma was born on the McNabb family farm at Lot 1, Concession 13, Vespra (Edenvale). She attended SS #10 West Edenvale Public School and Minesing Continuation School. Wilma married Graydon Giffen in 1955 and they lived in Edenvale where they raised two sons, Ken and Kevin and one daughter, Sandra.
Wilma was Treasurer of the Township of Vespra (now Springwater) for 42 years retiring in February, 1995. Wilma was a dedicated and loyal employee who worked many hours juggling work, home and family life. She was skilled at researching and seeking out federal and provincial grants available to municipalities for sports and cultural projects. She worked closely with Greig Stewart of the Ministry of Culture and Recreation as the need for funding was crucial to the projects proceeding. Many grant funds were conditional on the Township being able to fund 1/3 of the project while the federal and provincial governments would fund 1/3 respectively. Surrounding municipalities also benefitted from her knowledge and were successful in obtaining additional funding to support their community projects. She worked tirelessly researching, collecting data and planning. Wilma committed many hours of her own time to complete and submit applications for funding...many of them being successful. For Wilma this often meant working closely with the community hall board involved requesting them to fundraise or donate in-kind to the project.
One notable project was the construction of Doran Park Ball Diamond on land donated by the Doran family of Midhurst for recreational purposes. This project included the construction of a lighted ball diamond and concession booth, the first of its kind in Vespra. As well, many volunteer hours and local fundraisers went toward this project. Wilma monitored very closely the Council approved budget ensuring projects came in on target.
Most communities had a community centre where there was always funds needed to maintain the existing structure and funding required for capital projects. It was Wilma’s task to research and seek out funding for such projects. Because of her efforts many of these facilities exist today.
Wilma was Secretary of the Vespra Recreation Committee. One person from each hamlet was appointed to sit on this committee to assist with the co-ordination of local sports in throughout Vespra Township...Anten Mills, Craighurst, Edenvale, Grenfel, Midhurst, and Minesing. Notable was the Vespra softball league which supported 48 ball teams at one time. Wilma assisted her husband Graydon with the co-ordination and scheduling of games while the individual community representatives searched for coaches and managers for each team. Vespra Township teams excelled because of the organizational efforts of Wilma and the community volunteers resulting in several Ontario Amateur Softball Association (OASA) Championships. Wilma’s brother Allan McNabb was also very involved for several years as OASA Convenor for this region. Teams often called on his expertise to liaise with the OASA. It was a rare occasion when Wilma missed a ball game.
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