Special Announcement Made
as Community Foundation’s 23rd Annual Report Released

November 16, 2009: Celebrating the images of impact from each grant and scholarship awarded, more 300 people joined The Community Foundation of Frederick County on November 16 as it unveiled its FY09 Annual Report - Images of Impact - at the Frederick Holiday Inn and Conference Center.

Immediate Past Chairman Kathleen A. Costlow spoke of the Community Foundation’s past fiscal year in which over 2,400 contributors donated to Community Foundation funds.

“More than $3.8 million was awarded in grants and scholarships between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009,” said Ms. Costlow, who reiterated the Community Foundation’s commitment to serving as a catalyst to create positive and lasting impact, by building and fostering relationships throughout Frederick County.

Other highlights of the program included stirring presentations by Leah Joos, RN, Program Coordinator for Frederick County Health Access Program, who spoke of the people served through a grant from the Community Foundation’s Joseph D. Byrd Fund; Mark Bowman and Jeff Grills, Directors of Frederick County Public Schools’ Earth and Space Science Lab, who spoke on the partnership between Frederick County Public Schools and the Community Foundation that helped to raise the money for the new Earth and Space Lab; and Elizabeth Greene Johnson who spoke on the opportunities that her Community Foundation scholarships made possible

The Community Foundation also honored the 2009 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism as follows:

Miriam Lane of Union Bridge for her tireless service to others, despite her own ongoing battle against cancer. A retired physical therapist who now volunteers with Mission of Mercy, she is also a faithful volunteer at Trinity Lutheran in Taneytown. Ms. Lane uses her Wertheimer Fellow to create The Jane White Fund for Mission of Mercy. Jane White, the director of the Korean orphanage where the Lanes adopted their daughter in 1986, inspired Mrs. Lane by her compassion and caring, qualities that an integral part of the work of Mission of Mercy.

Eugene “Gene” Long of Thurmont for his long-time commitment to the betterment of Thurmont, his church and numerous other community efforts. Mr. Long uses his Wertheimer Fellow to establish The Davey Long and Mike Compton Memorial Fund in memory of his son Davey and his wife Shirley’s son Mike to award grants in honor of Davey and Mike’s memory, at the recommendation of the Longs and with the approval of the Community Foundation Board of Trustees.

Frank Parsons of Frederick for his dedication to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Calvary United Methodist Church, American Red Cross, Cold Weather Shelter, Salvation Army, and Frederick County Health Department. Mr. Parsons uses his Wertheimer Fellow to establish The Frank R. Parsons Fund for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine to support community education so that the story of medical care during the Civil War continues to be told to the general public.

Now in its seventh 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 Carpel 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. “The images of impact that each of us create through the Community Foundation benefit Frederick County now and for generations to come,” he said. “Together, we can make a difference.”

The Community Foundation’s Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Report to the Community is available online at www.cffredco.org, by calling 301.695.7660, or by stopping by the Community Foundation at 312 East Church Street, Frederick.