The Hugo H. & Mabel B. Young Foundation

In 1913, Hugo Young was one of the founders of the Flexible Sidecar Company, a Loudonville business that initially manufactured a flexible mounting for motorcycle sidecars. In 1919, the company’s name was changed to the Flxible Co. (without the “e” but still pronounced “flexible”) so the name could be registered as a trademark. Over the years, the Flxible Co. also manufactured ambulances and hearses but was most famous for its bus manufacturing. At its peak, the company employed 1,500 people, had annual sales of $100 million, and was second only to General Motors in bus manufacturing.

Away from work, Mr. Young was interested in music and the arts. He was a trombonist in the local Opera House Orchestra and occasionally played violin at fundraising programs. The 20-piece Flxible band, directed by Mr. Young, entertained townspeople from a bandstand located in Loudonville’s Central Park.

In 1917, Mr. Young married Mabel Miles from Mansfield, Ohio. Throughout their lives, they were very philanthropic, supporting local schools, library, health care, music and the arts, business development and public safety. In 1963 they established The Hugo H. and Mabel B. Young Foundation and instructed their successors to “Support worthy charitable causes which benefit the wide community in which they were active and known”.

The Hugo H. and Mabel B Young Outstanding Citizen Scholarship was established on June 19, 1990. The Foundation’s minutes related to its creation state:

The scholarship is established to recognize academic achievement by students who are leaders and good citizens, qualities fostered by Hugo and Mabel Young during their lifetimes.

The Scholarship is established to recognize academic achievement by students who are leaders and good citizens, qualities fostered by Hugo and Mabel Young during their lifetime.

The Scholarship will be awarded each year to two graduates of Loudonville High School in the sum of $5,000.00 per recipient to support their education by attending a university, college, technical or trade school. Students are eligible to receive only one Scholarship, which must be used for tuition, room, board, books, supplies and/or other materials required by the college or university; as well as for tools, equipment and/or other materials required by the technical or trade school.

Each Scholarship recipient acknowledges and agrees that the Scholarship funds will be used solely for the approved expenses set forth above and that any excess Scholarship funds shall be returned to the Foundation.