Special Announcement Made
as Community Foundation’s 22nd Annual Report Released

November 17, 2008: Celebrating the impact of a legacy of giving back to the Frederick County community for 22 years, more 300 people joined The Community Foundation of Frederick County on November 17 as it unveiled its FY08 Annual Report – A Legacy of Giving—Touching the Future – at the Frederick Holiday Inn and Conference Center.

Immediate Past Chairman Robert E. Kallstrom spoke of the Community Foundation’s past fiscal year in which over 2,800 contributors donated to Community Foundation funds.

“Because of the legacy of giving of our donors, the Community Foundation awarded $344,000 in scholarships and over $2.3 million in grants between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008,” said Mr. Kallstrom, who reiterated the Community Foundation’s commitment to positive and lasting change throughout Frederick County.

Current Board Chairman Kathleen A. Costlow addressed the current economic crisis when she made a special announcement during the program. “The Community Foundation is leading the way to help those in need during this economic crisis with the creation of The 2009 Family Relief Fund to specifically address the critical needs of people whose lives have been turned upside down because of the economy,” she said.

“The new 2009 Family Relief Fund will award quarterly grants – beginning this January – to Frederick County nonprofits providing food, shelter, medical services, dental care, counseling, utility assistance, and job training to persons and families facing distress caused by the economic downturn,” she said.

“As we consider how our legacy of giving will be remembered beyond our own lifetimes, I ask that you please join with us today in making a difference in the lives of others,” said Chairman Costlow, who noted that donations to the Fund given through the end of the year will be used toward the January grants and will have an immediate impact on lives throughout Frederick County. “Your gift will help to alleviate human suffering in Frederick County.”

Other highlights of the program included a stirring presentation by the Frederick Police Department’s Community Outreach Coordinator, Michele Bowman, who spoke of the impact on the GAL PALS program, which received a Charles V. and Louise Main Endowment Fund grant from the Community Foundation.

And, attendees were treated to a performance by Andrew Derr, who has received the Community Foundation’s Courtney Muse Music Scholarship for the past two years. Andrew’s mother, Sue, earnestly spoke of the impact of the scholarship on Andrew and their family as Andrew pursues his musical studies.

The highlight of the evening was when Chairman Costlow joined Mr. Kallstrom and President Elizabeth Y. Day in honoring the 2008 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism:

Long-time Walkersville community residents Orley and Margaret (Peg) Bourland, who have used their $10,000 award to create The Peg and Orley Bourland Educational Assistance Fund for Glade Valley. The Fund will provide educational support to people served by Glade Valley Community Services in Walkersville.

Well-known Frederick dentist Dr. George Waxter, who has used his $10,000 award to create The Peggy Waxter Fund for Mission of Mercy to support the provision of love, dignity, and respect to people in need who are served by the organization. The Fund honors his wife Peggy who Dr. Waxter feels embodies these traits in her dealings with others.

And, former dental assistant Grace Winpigler of Frederick, who has used her $10,000 award to create The Grace Brashear Winpigler Dental Healthcare Fund to support the dental healthcare and treatment of residents of Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center and Montevue Home.

Now in its sixth year, The Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism Awards honor the best of the best in volunteerism, much like the woman for whom the award is named, the late Janis Miller Wertheimer, a well-known Frederick County resident whose generosity and volunteerism were legendary. The award is made possible through a bequest of the late Mrs. Wertheimer whose legacy of giving continues through her planned gift which created, among three funds, The Janis Miller Wertheimer Endowment Fund.

Chairman Costlow concluded the meeting with a charge to attendees to remember that the Community Foundation holds a variety of funds that help numerous causes throughout Frederick County and thanked donors for their continued support. “Your legacy of giving back through the Community Foundation will indeed touch the future,” she said. “Together, we can make a difference.”

Those interested in supporting The 2009 Family Relief Fund may make a secure online donation by visiting www.cffredco.org.

The Community Foundation’s 2007-2008 Annual Report to the Community is available online at www.cffredco.org, by calling 301.695.7660, or by stopping by the Community Foundation office at 312 East Church Street, Frederick.