The Wertheimer Fellow Awards
Named for the late Janis Miller Wertheimer, a well-known Frederick County businesswoman and prolific volunteer, Wertheimer Fellows are recognized for their sweat equity rather than their financial contributions to the local community—leaving a lasting legacy of giving in everything they do.
At-risk youth, victims of domestic violence, the elderly, homeless families, children with disabilities, the hungry, people recovering from addictions, grant initiatives, African-American historical programs, faith based initiatives, scouting programs, health care agencies, and students reaching for a better life through education have all been helped by the funds added by each Wertheimer Fellow.
In 2012, the Community Foundation established a new award. The Wertheimer "Youth-in-Action" Award recognizes youth under the age of 18 who are making outstanding contributions to the community through their volunteer service. One youth each year will be honored and will receive a $1,000 grant to support a Frederick County nonprofit of their choice.
Wertheimer Fellows are recognized at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community each November and are awarded $10,000 to establish or add to a permanent fund with the Community Foundation for the nonprofit or charitable endeavor of their choice.
New in 2012, the Community Foundation presented its first youth award for volunteerism called the "Wertheimer Youth in Action Award." Youth under the age of 18 who are positively impacting the community by volunteering their talents and energies in Frederick County may be nominated. The youth will receive a $1,000 grant to give to the nonprofit organization of their choice, and will be honored at the Community Foundation's Annual Report to the Community in November.
Past Wertheimer Fellows include Cecilia Bach, Orley and Margaret Borland, Elizabeth J. Brady, Dennis Cannon, Sandy Cox, Jeanie Cronin, Lawrence A. “Tommy” Dorsey, George and Ruth Dredden, Marlene England, Susan Favorite, Charlotte and Charles Glick, Miriam Lane, William O. Lee, Jr., Eugene Long, Richard Markey, Jeannine Milyard, Viola M. Noffsinger, Ronnie Osterman, Frank Parsons, Jennie Sue Pearson, Colleen Remsberg, Edna and Grace Smith, Jane and Charles Smith, Robert F. Ward, Dr. George Waxter, Fran Wenner, Grace Winpigler and Gail A. Wood.
Click HERE to read about previous Wertheimer Honorees.
Please meet the 2012 Wertheimer Fellow Honorees :
Leah Fleming, 2012 Honoree
Leah Fleming of Walkersville began volunteering with the American Red Cross of the Chesapeake Region, Frederick Community Chapter, more than ten years ago, motivated by the events of 9/11. Beginning as a Disaster Action Team (DAT) member, her involvement soon found her as a DAT Leader, coordinating a team of responders who are on call to respond at night and on weekends for local disasters in Frederick County. Leah has left the comfort of her home countless times and often in the middle of the night to provide aid to an individual or family in Frederick County who has lost their home to a fire or other disaster. Her compassion for others includes giving up her own Christmas Eve holiday one year to be with a mother who lost her son in a house fire. She has also deployed to areas outside Frederick County providing assistance to tornado and hurricane victims.
Ms. Fleming is also involved in the Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) program, providing emergency communications and other support to Frederick County members of the United States Armed Forces and their families around the world. As a SAF Leader, she coordinates other volunteers who provide this service to military families.
Caroline Gaver, 2012 Honoree
Caroline Gaver of Union Bridge has volunteered for the Literacy Council of Frederick County for more than 37 years. Described as “the heart of the Literacy Council,” and “a tireless advocate,” Mrs. Gaver has served in every volunteer position available, including terms as board president or vice-president that have exceeded 20 years.
Mrs. Gaver has been an integral part of helping English and non-English speaking adults learn to read, write, and speak the English language. As a tutor trainer, Mrs. Gaver works with over 100 volunteers to provide free, one-on-one basic literacy tutoring for English-speaking adults and also English as a second language tutoring to Frederick County residents. At any given time, there are more than 120 students enrolled in the Literacy Council’s programs.
Emily Zimmerman, 2012 Youth Honoree
Emily Zimmerman of Walkersville is the first time recipient of the Wertheimer Youth in Action Award. This award honors a special youth under the age of 18 who is positively impacting the community by volunteering his or her time, talent, and energy.
Since being diagnosed with leukemia in 2005, Ms. Zimmerman has strived to give back to the community and organizations that supported her and her family throughout her illness. She volunteers with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Baltimore Chapter, raising money and awareness for blood cancer by participating in its annual “Light the Night” walk of Frederick County, along with other fundraising events. To date, her efforts have raised more than $40,000.
Nancy Roblin, 2012 Honoree
Nancy Roblin of Frederick is the founder of The Frederick Chorale, and served as its director for 35 years. Ms. Roblin was responsible for creating an all-volunteer organization of 250+ singers over the years who are devoted to presenting excellent chorale music of all styles.
In addition to preparing and presenting two major concerts each year, Ms. Roblin developed concerts to support many community events. The Frederick Chorale’s signature event, the Madrigal Feaste, was performed annually to celebrate the holiday season. Her development of this program was recognized by chorale directors all over the country and she traveled to present workshops on the subject. The Frederick Chorale enhanced other local events, including Kris Kringle parades, Hospice remembrance programs, In the Streets Festival, and many more.
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