Gore Mutual Shares Memento Bricks from Lincoln Public School

CAMBRIDGE, ON, Oct. 3, 2016 /CNW/ - In a touching ceremony that included local community members and former students of the now-closed Lincoln Public School, Gore Mutual Insurance Company gave away memorial bricks on October 3, in honour of the school's 65-year legacy of educating children in the Galt area of Cambridge.

Lincoln Public School closed its doors in June, 2013. In 2015, Gore Mutual purchased the school property, which is adjacent to the company's head office. Gore Mutual's grounds are renowned in Cambridge for their beauty and historical significance, and the company is committed to maintaining the school grounds to the same standard.

"We care deeply about our community members, and take great pride in the beauty of our grounds," said Heidi Sevcik, President and CEO of Gore Mutual. "It also means a great deal to us to keep our neighbourhood safe. With those things in mind, we knew that removing the building was the right thing to do."

Approximately 300 bricks from the school were kept aside during the deconstruction and made available to Galt area residents and former students at the ceremony, allowing them to keep a piece of local history. A number of bricks had commemorative plaques added to them as a special remembrance. As the old building was taken down, its metal was salvaged, and its remaining bricks and concrete were turned into gravel that can be used in other construction projects.

"It was extremely important to us to be environment-friendly in our disposal of the school's building materials," added Sevcik. "And of course, we were also respectful of the mementos that remained inside the old school."

Team banners that still hung from the gym rafters were given to the local school board for preservation. The basketball backboards were donated to another local school, and the flagpole went to a community centre for children.

While Lincoln Public School's proud history has come to a close, its memory will live on through donated mementos, recycled construction materials, memorial bricks and—most importantly—in the hearts of its former students.

About Gore Mutual Insurance Company
Founded in 1839, Gore Mutual is Canada's oldest property and casualty insurer, with approximately $400M in premiums and $1BN in assets as at December 31, 2015. Based in Cambridge, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia, this Canadian mutual company employs over 300 people and is known for its investment in people, technology and innovation. With a long standing commitment to stability, trust and innovation, Gore Mutual is an unwavering supporter of its network of insurance brokers, who offer the highest standards of service, choice and advocacy to Canadian customers. Gore Mutual was voted the #1 insurance company by the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) in 2014 and certified as a "Great Place to Work" in 2016. The Gore Mutual Foundation strengthens Canadian communities by supporting local initiatives and has donated more than $5M to over 550 charities. Learn more about Gore Mutual at goremutual.ca.

SOURCE Gore Mutual Insurance Company

Image with caption: "Local resident receives commemorative brick from Gore Mutual Insurance Company (CNW Group/Gore Mutual Insurance Company)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161003_C8219_PHOTO_EN_787873.jpg

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