Community Foundation Honors Linda and Sarah Cohen
Highest award for community philanthropy presented to Old Forge sisters
Old Forge sisters whose generosity has touched countless lives have received the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties’ highest award for community philanthropy.
Linda and Sarah Cohen of Old Forge were honored at the Community Foundation’s July 25 Celebration of Philanthropy event at View Arts Center. About 170 guests joined current and past Community Foundation board members in recognizing the Cohen’s tireless commitment to the causes they care about and to the communities they love.
“Linda and Sarah are two of the most generous people that I have ever met and their love for this community is extraordinary,” said Alicia Fernandez Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation. “The Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy recognizes their deep and continuing humanitarianism, influence, and sophisticated generosity.”
Established in 2006, the Rosamond G. Childs Award recognizes those who exhibit a spirit of giving and profound commitment to the community as exemplified by the Community Foundation’s first major donor.
Together, the Cohens have been at the forefront of supporting a wide range of community needs through unwavering commitment, much of it through the Linda and Sarah Cohen Fund, which was established in 2011. The fund has supported several dozen nonprofit organizations and programs since its inception.
Linda and Sarah have been longtime partners and supporters of the Community Foundation. Linda, a former board member and committee chair, was involved in the organization’s most transformative period, taking on important initiatives tackling critical issues in the community, such as the Lead Free MV initiative. In 2023, Sarah worked with the Community Foundation team to establish the Project Village Guatemala Fund, which supports a comprehensive, country-wide program in Guatemala that provides educational opportunities to impoverished children and families, taking their philanthropy international.
“Whenever there’s an urgent need or an opportunity to support the community and beyond, Linda and Sarah are ready to listen, offer valuable insight and stand with us as we invest in our community,” Dicks said. “Their thoughtful contributions have touched lives, empowered dreams and built a stronger community.”
Those wishing to honor Linda and Sarah Cohen can make a donation to the Cohen Sisters Celebration Fund at foundationhoc.org/cohen.