Don & Barb Myers

Leaving a Legacy of Opportunity

Don & Barb Myers
Donor Stories » Don & Barb Myers

Don & Barb Myers: Leaving a Legacy of Opportunity

If you were to ask Don and Barb Myers how they reached their life of retirement in the Regents’ Glen Country Club community, they would tell you it was all about the opportunities they have had throughout their lifetime.

Don spent almost his entire career working with troubled youth, which is fitting, since by his own admission, he was one.

“I would get into trouble,” Don shared. He grew up on Pershing and Princess Streets in York City, the son of a single mother. But basketball was his passion, which led him to the YMCA of York County. “The Y saved my life. It gave me a place to participate in activities off the streets.”

Don returned to the YMCA as a sports and fitness instructor, giving kids like himself wonderful opportunities to be a part of something positive. He later joined the staff of St. Matthew Lutheran Church as Director of Youth Work and founded the Youth Center, which served 1600 members of the community from York City and County.

Growing up in York City, Don’s second favorite thing to do was listen to bands play in the bandshells at parks across York City. “Every night of the week, you could find music at a different park,” he recalls. Between all of the live performances and sporting events, York was a busy place.

Barb also grew up in York City and returned to York after graduating from Dover Area High School. She worked for York Bank, and had the opportunity to attend IBM computer programmer training in Philadelphia. With the support of the bank and her training, Barb advanced to the position of department head of data processing.

“It’s wonderful to see shops and things returning to downtown,” remarked Barb. She remembers going shopping in York and visiting the department stores. “It’s so nice to see the older buildings in downtown being redone and used, instead of torn down.”

The Myers’ felt that they had been given so many wonderful opportunities in life, for which they are extremely grateful. They wanted to give back to the community that provided these opportunities, and working with friend and estate planning advisor, Bill Anstine, made a plan to do so. Bill recommended that they turn to the Community Foundation to create a fund that would enable them to build a legacy that encompassed many of the things they were passionate about.

Working with our development team, Don and Barb created the Donald and Barbara Myers Endowment Fund to support the YMCA, arts and culture, downtown revitalization and the parks of York City after their lifetimes. This earned them a place in YCCF’s 1749 Society, which recognizes those individuals whose estate planning includes a gift to York County Community Foundation.

Don and Barb can now enjoy their retirement, knowing that the opportunities presented to them will still be around to help others.

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