Ralph and Freda Snyder have given back to the Shenango Valley their entire lives.

But the Hermitage couple made their biggest donation after Ralph’s death in February. When planning Ralph’s will, Freda and her husband decided they would give $100,000 to both New Virginia United Methodist Church and the Shenango Valley Young Men’s Christian Association.

"We’ve always been interested in doing good," Mrs. Snyder said, noting her late husband and she had lived their lives by Christian principles and believe in charitable giving.

"We started with very small beginnings," she said, "and we always said if we were fortunate enough, we would give it away."

The Rev. Ricky D. Nelson said plans for the donation to New Virginia United Methodist Church, made to the building fund, are to pay for a church addition -- a new fellowship hall.

The current fellowship hall is fairly small and is located on the second floor of the church, so it is not accessible to the entire congregation, Rev. Nelson said.

The church’s current membership is 280. Mrs. Snyder said she and her husband have been members of the church for more than 50 years.

"I know they have been very generous to the church in the past," said Rev. Nelson. "The donation will help us get to the point of making the new fellowship hall into a reality."

The Snyders also donated $100,000 to the YMCA, an organization they have been involved with from its start. Both have served on the YMCA’s board of trustees -- Ralph served for more than 20 years.

"We never had any children of our own," Mrs. Snyder said, adding that she and her husband always enjoyed working with the YMCA.

"Ralph was always very charitable," Mrs. Snyder said. "We hope that it brings happiness to a lot of young people."

The YMCA has not yet decided how to use the Snyders’ donation, said Jamie Goodwin, president of its board of trustees.

Goodwin added that the money could be used for a number of things, ranging from a swimming pool to renovations to an entirely new location.

"This generous gift from Ralph and Freda Snyder will provide the spark needed to light the way for a new tomorrow for the YMCA’s service to the community," said Francis Petrini, chairman of both the YMCA’s board of trustees and long-range planning committee, in a news release.

The Snyders have long given to causes they support.

In 1978, they donated land to the Masons so that the group could build their headquarters in Hickory Township, now the City of Hermitage.

The Snyders made contributions to help start the construction of what is now UPMC Horizon, Farrell; and the sanctuary addition to The Salvation Army in Sharon.

They have also donated money to the Hermitage Rotary Club for the Rotary International Scholarship.

Ralph Snyder was a real estate developer and a farmer and Mrs. Snyder recently retired after working for 43 years at Mellon Bank in Hermitage.

"Their gift expresses the love they have for the community, the church and their love for God," Rev. Nelson said

"It (giving) doesn’t hurt," said Mrs. Snyder, who is very humble about the sizable donations. "(By giving) you find yourself with lots. Whatever you give away comes back two-fold -- if not in fashion, in pleasure."