Frederick Keys Care Fund Awards Grants to Three Nonprofits

FREDERICK, MD – August 2, 2011: Grants totaling $7,000 have been awarded to three nonprofits from The Frederick Keys Care Fund, formerly the Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund. The fund is one of more than 600 component fund of The Community Foundation of Frederick County.

The grant recipients were honored at a program following the Frederick Keys’ 16^th Annual Charity Golf Classic, which benefits the fund. More than 120 golfers participated in the tournament, held at Musket Ridge Golf Club.

Heartly House, a provider of services to survivors of domestic violence, received a $1,194 grant to purchase program materials for children who are in individual or group counseling. Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, an organization that grants wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, received a $2,890 grant to help fulfill a teenage basketball enthusiast’s wish to attend NBA All-Star events in Los Angeles. The Girl Scouts of the National Capital Area, an organization that teaches courage, confidence and character to girls, received a $2,916 grant to provide camp subsidies for those needing financial assistance.

The Frederick Keys Care Fund was established by the Frederick Keys to honor the memory of Joel Stephens, a minor league outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles who succumbed to colon cancer in 1998 at the age of 22. While undergoing treatment, Joel attempted a return to baseball by playing with the Frederick Keys at Harry Grove Stadium. Joel’s love for children, particularly those with health-related issues, disabilities, difficult home situations, or suffering a loss, inspired the creation of this memorial fund. The fund awards grants to nonprofit organizations serving Frederick County youth or young adults 22 years of age and younger or religious organizations in need of funding for non-sectarian activities benefiting youth activities.

Click here to make a secure, online donation to The Frederick Keys Care Fund.  Checks made payable to The Community Foundation of Frederick County may be mailed to 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, with the name of the specific fund on the memo line. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about the Community Foundation, please call 301.695.7660.