Marlene Young will retire from daily leadership as President & CEO of Delaplaine Foundation the end of June. She has worked with George Delaplaine for 50 years and was instrumental in working with the Delaplaine family in establishing the foundation, which has significantly improved the quality of life in Frederick. We have received many generous grants from Delaplaine Foundation over the years, benefiting countless thousands of local residents. She explains that the prayer of her life has been, “God, please use me for something greater than myself, that you would be glorified.”
Marlene’s first memories of the Mission are from her childhood when she vividly recalls first seeing the large “Jesus Saves” sign on our original location on South Market Street. Since then, she has watched the Mission relocate, grow, and benefit residents. “We support the Mission because it covers such a broad and deep expanse of need in the community.
I see the Mission’s authenticity, care, and concern; the Mission is a sanctuary for hope, help, and healing.”
The Foundation was established in 2001, following the sale of the Delaplaine family media businesses that included the daily newspaper and cable/telecommunications companies. As a pioneer in the cable TV industry, George Delaplaine brought cable to Frederick in the late 1960s. From the proceeds of the sale, the family set aside $15 million to establish the Foundation. Since opening its doors, it has poured over $30M in grant funding into the community, the majority of which has benefited Frederick County. They invest in programs to strengthen the arts, culture, education, health and human services, historic preservation, and spiritual enlightenment. Marlene explains, “This has never been a job for me, but rather a calling.” Her motivation comes from Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Marlene directs not only the Foundation’s work of funding to help others but also applies those same values to her own personal resources. She says, “As my husband Mike and I have been blessed, we want to be a blessing to others. None of us is exempt from the possibility of some time being in need. My faith tells me that as children of God, we are all on the same level playing field and so it is important to be of service to others and do as much as you can, as often as you can, where you can, for as long as you can.
I believe we only get to keep what we give away, meaning what we do for self dies with us, but what we give in service to others remains and is immortal.”
Following retirement, Marlene will remain President of Delaplaine Foundation’s Board of Trustees and looks forward to helping to guide the Foundation’s next chapter in that capacity while supporting new daily leadership with Executive Director Michele Corr. Marlene looks forward to a less demanding pace and spending more time with her family. Although she has an impactful legacy in Frederick County, her legacy is not her focus. “We are all here for a limited time. When we make giving a natural part of our lifestyle, we won’t have to worry about what our legacy will be because we’ll be living our legacy daily.”
