Kiwanis Club receives record donation

When Sandra Tinsley first met her future husband at Coral Gables Congregational Church in Miami, a church member just had to tell her something — Minton Tinsley was a good man.

The couple later married and moved to Sarasota, where Minton became involved in the local chapter of his favorite organization — the Kiwanis Club. He had been a part of other Kiwanis groups before moving to Sarasota. In total, he was a member for 40 years.

He died Nov. 1. He was 82.

In his will, Minton Tinsley left  $50,000 to the Sarasota Kiwanis Foundation. It is the largest single donation to the organization in memory.

“Minton really always appreciated the Kiwanis (Club) and what they did, what they stood for,” Sandra Tinsley said. “Mostly, he was interested in the work with the children.”

The Kiwanis Foundation supports local children and the elderly via grants to local organizations.

“He did not have children himself, and I think he just wanted to better the lives of the less fortunate,” Sandra Tinsley said.

Sarasota Kiwanis Foundation President Jeff DeJongh said the organization received the gift on Dec. 16. The money will be added to the foundation’s general fund and used for the organization’s annual grant program.

In light of Minton Tinsley’s gift, Sandra Tinsley can’t help but think back to what that woman said in that South Florida church so many years ago — Minton Tinsley was a good man.

“She was right,” Sandra Tinsley said.