Two benefactors selected for 2020 Volney Rogers Legacy Award
In 1890, an lawyer from Youngstown was riding his horse when he came across a gorge the impressed him so much, he decided it needed to be preserved.
From this chance encounter, the people of the Valley have been able to enjoy the beauty of nature of the region though Rogers’ efforts. He bought parcels of land which led to the eventual creation of what became Mill Creek MertroParks.
The Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation has announced this years Volney Rogers Legacy Award, reserved for those who have shown dedication to the MetroParks and its programs, will go to two benefactors of the Foundation, David Sabine and Sand Hill Foundation.
David Sabine, a Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at Huntington National Bank, was selected for this award for his long-time support and dedication to Mill Creek MetroParks and the Foundation.
Mr. Sabine has played an instrumental role in the restoration and preservation of Lanterman’s Mill, as well as the spearheading of the fundraising efforts for the creation of the Beecher Finnegan Education Building that is be part of the current Ford Nature Center Redevelopment Project.
“I’m very honored to receive the Volney Rogers Award. I love the park, its the treasure but also represents the sacrifice and energy and devotion Volney Rogers had to create this park. It is our duty to continue that commitment to make sure the park continues to grow and to bring the benefits to the community as it has for this 100 years,” says Sabine.
The Sand Hill Foundation, a private family foundation located in Menlo Park, California, provides philanthropic support for promising and proven non-profit organizations working to alleviate poverty, strengthen families and preserve the natural environment with a primary focus in the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula. The Sand Hill Foundation, established in 1995, has been active with gifts to the Ford Nature Center Endowment Fund and being the Naming Sponsor for the Ford Nature Center Redevelopment Project in 2018.
Representatives from The Sand Hill Foundation were unable to travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s award presentation coincides with the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Volney Rogers Memorial Statue, located at the Memorial Entrance of Mill Creek Park at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Memorial Hill Drive. Rogers, who established Mill Creek Park in 1891. An 8-foot bronze statute of Rogers’ likeness was unveiled on October 12, 1920, less than one year after his death at at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Memorial Hill Drive in Youngstown.
In tribute to the centennial of the statue’s dedication, the Mill Creek MetroParks Foundation commissioned Freshmade3D, housed at the Youngstown Business Incubator, to create a scaled replica of the statue for the award.
“What makes the award so special is that it utilizes cutting-edge 3D printing technology from right here in Youngstown to pay homage to Volney Rogers and an event that took place a century ago,” says Chris Litton, Development Director for Mill Creek MetroParks.
Full article at wfmj.com