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FAO’s Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund Awards

Inaugural Grant to Martins Ferry Public Library

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is pleased to announce the Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund to Support Partnership in Appalachian Ohio presented its first grant award to the Martins Ferry Public Library. The award was presented at the annual meeting of EODA, Eastern Ohio Development Alliance, on April 27 in Walnut Creek, Ohio.

The Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund was created with a generous, seed investment from Columbia Gas of Ohio to honor the life and work of Don Myers, former director of OMEGA (Ohio Mid-Eastern Government Association). Before his passing in 2008, Mr. Myers had worked throughout his career to create access to vital partnerships and educational opportunities, and to encourage meaningful study of often overlooked problems, including issues surrounding basic needs. The Fund was therefore created as a permanent source of funding to encourage and support Appalachian Ohio’s nonprofit and government organizations in collaborative activities that benefit quality of life.

Many helped to celebrate the inaugural award of the Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund, including Cara Dingus Brook, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio; Sue Douglass, Belmont County CIC; Dale Hileman and Tracy Drake, EODA; Mary Kaufmann, Muskingum University and EODA Educational Committee; Yvonne Myers, Martins Ferry Public Library; Dan Neff, Appalachian Regional Commission; Jack Partridge, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc; and Dana Sotor and Sue Wood, OMEGA. Though Don Myers’s family was unable to attend, Eric Myers, son of Don Myers, sent a heartfelt message on behalf of the family to share with all those in attendance:

 “We are so very thankful that my father’s legacy continues to live on and benefit the community through the Donald R. Myers Fund. We would like to thank the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and all of those who have contributed to the Fund either through monetary donations or their time and efforts. We would especially like to thank Dale Hileman for his work on the Fund,” said Mr. Myers. “My father had a soft spot in his heart for the Martins Ferry Public Library, and I cannot think of a better recipient for this year’s award. Given the lack of funding and changing technological challenges, our libraries are in need of assistance like never before. I know my father would be proud that the first significant award from the Fund will be used to help such a worthy cause.”

 Yvonne Myers, the Director of the Martins Ferry Public Library, was grateful for the grant acknowledging that Don Myers “had provided instrumental support to the library during his lifetime.” The library has experienced a great reduction in its ability to purchase new material and will use the grant to purchase books which will each bear a bookplate honoring Don Myers and the Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund.

 To learn more, please call the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio at 740.753.1111 or read about the Don Myers Legacy Fund on FAO’s website. If you would like to make a gift to the Fund, please mail donations to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, 36 Public Square – PO Box 456, Nelsonville, Ohio 45764. Online donations can be made by clicking here and designating Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund.

Photo above was taken at the presentation of the Donald R. Myers Legacy Fund Grant Award to the Martins Ferry Public Library.  From left  – Sue Douglass, Belmont County CIC; Mary Kaufmann, Muskingum University and EODA Education Committee; Dan Neff, Appalachian Regional Commission; Dana Sotor, OMEGA; Cara Dingus Brook, Foundation for Appalachian Ohio; Sue Wood, OMEGA; Yvonne Myers, Martins Ferry Public Library; Jack Partridge, Columbia Gas of Ohio, Inc.; Dale Hileman and Tracy Drake, EODA.

 About the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is a regional community foundation serving the 32 counties of Appalachian Ohio with the mission of enriching the region’s current and future quality of life. A 501(c)(3) public charity, the Foundation attracts contributions for programs and endowment, makes grants for charitable and civic purposes, and supports local efforts for positive change. For more information about FAO, visit www.fao.local.

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