Young sisters form fund; Enterprise fund supports six groups in Washington County
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Two sisters who taught art in Warren Local Schools for more than 50 years have established a fund to forever benefit six groups in Washington County.
The Sandra Lee Young and Sylvia Lee Young Enterprise Fund was established at Marietta Community Foundation through their estate to provide support to causes near and dear to them. The Youngs were fans of "Star Trek," hence the title Enterprise Fund.
The agencies are:
∫ Marietta Fire Department to purchase and maintain equipment for firemen and emergency medical technicians, 30%, $45,455.
∫ Marietta Police Department and Washington County Sheriff's Department to purchase, train and equip police dogs and officers, 20%, $15,150 each.
∫ Marietta College Legacy Library to preserve and maintain its permanent collections, 30%, $45,455.
∫ Mid-Ohio Valley Players to maintain, repair and renovate its building, 10%, $15,150.
∫ Campus Martius Museum to maintain its buildings and collections,10%, $15,150.
More than $150,000 will be dispersed this year.
"On behalf of the Marietta Fire Department, we are honored to be one of the recipients of the annual distribution from the Sandra Lee Young and Sylvia Lee Young Enterprise Fund," said Chief C.W. Durham. "This fund will be a tremendous opportunity to ensure the Marietta Fire Department has the equipment needed for both fire and emergency medical responses to better serve our community. We will be very intentional to ensure this donation is well used, to help preserve the legacy of the Youngs."
The Marietta Police Department also is humbled and honored, Chief Katherine Warden said.
"(The Youngs) have left a wonderful legacy that we are excited to continue by expanding and improving on our K9 program," she said.
Sheriff Larry Mincks also thanked the sisters.
"This is a very worthwhile project, and we'll certainly make good use of the money," Mincks said. "Not only this year, but all of the years in the future."
Angela Burdiss, interim director of the Marietta College Legacy Library, expressed the college's thanks.
"In addition, we are thankful for the collections they shared with the library including numerous beautiful art books that are now part of the library's print collection," she said. "These gifts will benefit students and faculty at the College."
The Mid-Ohio Valley Players is happy, according said Bonnie Rake, vice president of the community theater group.
"These ladies were such a part of the art world in the Mid-Ohio Valley, and we're glad that their legacy continues on," Rake said.
It is an honor to be held in high esteem by the Young sisters, Erin Augenstein, executive director of the Northwest Territory Museum Society, said.
"We are thrilled to be acknowledged by the estate as a community anchor, and will utilize the funds to enhance our facility and programming for guests locally and for those who travel great distances to visit our historic community," she said.
The Young sisters started teaching in Warren Local Schools in 1961. They retired in 2013.
Sandra died in 2019 at the age of 81. Sylvia passed away in 2021 at the age of 83. They received their bachelor's in art from Marietta College, a master's in art education from Ohio University and a master's in fine arts from Marietta College. The sisters enjoyed "Star Wars," "Star Trek" and the "Supernatural" TV show.