Find a Need and Fill It! – The Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community Released at Gala Event

November 13, 2007: Celebrating 21 years of filling the needs of the Frederick County community through scholarships and grants made possible by caring, generous citizens, 300 people joined The Community Foundation of Frederick County on November 13 as it unveiled its Annual Report – Find a Need and Fill It! – during a gala event at the Frederick Holiday Inn and Conference Center.

Those in attendance enjoyed a program that included an overview of the Community Foundation’s past fiscal year in which nearly 2,500 contributors donated to Community Foundation funds.

“Because of the generosity of our citizens, the Community Foundation awarded over $292,000 in scholarships and over $2.4 million in grants between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007,” said Edmond B. (Ted) Gregory, Immediate Past Chairman of the Community Foundation. “Since 1986, the Community Foundation has given back more than $17 million to the Frederick County community.”

During the program, Frederick residents Don and Sue Murphy remembered their daughter Jessica who was only 14 when she was killed in a car accident in1999. Their poignant presentation on how they have used her memory to fill a unique need through The Jessica Lee Murphy Memorial Fund has helped TJ High student/athletes to continue their post-secondary education. Annual scholarships awarded through the Fund also recognize a student’s safe driving record.

Joanna Pierson, Executive Director of The Arc of Frederick County, told of The Arc’s need for a perpetual funding source to continue its 50-year mission of helping those who are disabled, and how The Arc of Frederick County Endowment Fund recently reached $1 million, ensuring that The Arc’s good works will continue.

Mary E.M. and Ruth E. Smith Scholarship Fund recipient Kelly Arroyo, currently a student at University of Maryland, College Park, inspired those gathered with her plans of giving back to the community once she completes her degree in Public Health, which she said was made possible by the Community Foundation’s scholarship program.

Current Community Foundation Chairman Robert E. Kallstrom joined Mr. Gregory and President Elizabeth Y. Day in honoring the 2007 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism: husband and wife George and Ruth Dredden of Frederick, sisters Grace and Edna Smith of Frederick, Robert Ward of Brunswick, and Jeannine Milyard of Walkersville.

The Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism honors the memory of Janis Miller Wertheimer, a well-known Frederick County resident whose generosity and volunteerism were legendary. The late Mrs. Wertheimer bequeathed the greater portion of her estate to the Community Foundation for the creation of two permanent funds. The Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism are made possible through the generosity of one of those funds, The Janis Miller Wertheimer Endowment Fund.

As Wertheimer Fellows, these exceptional volunteers are awarded $10,000 to create a new fund or add to an existing fund at the Community Foundation.

George and Ruth Dredden have used their award to create The George and Ruth Dredden Scholarship Fund to support Frederick County residents eager to pursue their post-secondary education.

Grace and Edna Smith have used their award to create The Partners in Care Fund to support Partners In Care in its mission to help older and disabled adults remain independent in their own homes.

Robert Ward has used his award to create The Brunswick Boy Scouts Troop 277 Fund so that its members will be able to attend camp and to ensure that the Troop will have proper program materials.

And, Jeannine Milyard has used her award to create The Believer’s Club Fund to assist children with special needs, and their parents, with support on special Club trips.

Chairman Kallstrom said the guest speakers and the 2007 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism are shining examples of what each person can do to begin to fill the needs of the community. “The relationship the Community Foundation has with the citizens of Frederick County, and how they have helped us to identify and fill the many needs of the community, is a testament to the spirit of giving in Frederick County. We are honored that they have placed their trust in the Community Foundation to fulfill their charitable dreams.”

The Community Foundation’s 2006-2007 Annual Report to the Community is available by clicking here, or by calling 301.695.7660,by stopping by the Community Foundation office at 312 East Church Street, Frederick or by contacting the Community Foundation via e-mail at info@cffredco.org.