LOCALadk Magazine

LOCALadk 21 Sarah and Linda Cohen, Old Forge After their father passed away in 2001, Sarah and Linda Co- hen sought meaningful ways to honor his legacy by giving back to their close-knit community of Old Forge. Eventual- ly, their philanthropy expanded to many other organizations throughout the Adirondack Park. "We've helped in a variety of areas, including conser vation, public broadcasting, community development and women's health, along with arts and cultural initiatives," said Sarah. "Helping others has always been a family tradition." In the early 1900s, their grandfather, Moses Cohen, emi- grated from Lithuania and found his way to the Adirondacks, where he built the iconic Old Forge Hardware Store. Their father, A . Richard Cohen, later joined the family business. "Our grandfather and father helped many people in their own ways," said Linda. "They extended credit at the store during the Depression, and they paid for kids in the commu- nity to attend college. That's how it was done at that time." Eventually, A . Richard Cohen started several other busi- nesses to bring more people into the area, including the Enchanted Forest. That effort laid the foundation for what would later become the largest water park in New York State, Enchanted Forest Water Safari, and a major destination for visitors to the Adirondacks. Their mother, Judith, was an ardent supporter of her hus- band's business endeavors and his efforts to help others. Her father, Solomon Lowenstein, was a major contributor to the Jewish philanthropic community in New York City. Judith passed away in 1986. So the spirit of giving truly runs in the family, said Sarah. In the early 1970s, their father donated the former resi- dence of Moses Cohen as a new home for the Old Forge Li- brar y, which had been operating from a small, nearby wood- en building. " We formed a human chain to transfer the books from the old building to the new librar y," said Sarah, who jokingly called it a "book brigade." Mr. Cohen later donated funds for a new addition. After their father passed away, in 2001, the Cohen sisters continued their family's tremendous support for Old Forge by establishing the A . Richard Cohen Family Fund at the Com- munity Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida counties. They later worked with the Adirondack Foundation in Lake Placid to expand their philanthropic efforts throughout the Adirondack Park, because they realized there were more needs to be met. While their focus has been in several specific areas, they don't limit it. " We give to certain organizations ever y year without fail," Sarah said. "But we also give to other things as needs arise." The sisters decide together "who needs the money, how much we're giving, and which fund has the ap- propriate amount to help," Sarah added. Their generosity has extended to the Town of Webb His- torical Association, Great Camp Sagamore, View Center for Arts & Culture, North Countr y Public Radio, Planned Parent- hood, The Nature Conser vancy, the Adirondack Land Trust, the Adirondack Center for Writing, and the Adirondack Expe- rience: The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake. "Before our father died, he told us to continue giving back to the community," Sarah said. " We would have done it anyway because we absolutely love this area, we're ver y attached to it. We feel a certain amount of our income each year should follow his wishes." In addition to financial support, the sisters have also shared their time and talents to help others, ser ving on nu- merous nonprofit boards and committees throughout the Adirondack region.

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