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Lisa A. Orndorff Lajewski was a lifelong Frederick County resident and was born and raised in Brunswick. Through the scholarship fund with The Community Foundation of Frederick County that bears her name, she continues to positively impact the lives of others.
Mrs. Lajewski was a graduate of Brunswick High School. She worked for the FBI for 18 years as a program analyst in the Records Management Division, and she was an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church. In 2002, Mrs. Lajewski passed away after battling brain cancer.
To honor his wife, Daniel Lajewski established The Lisa A. Orndorff Lajewski Memorial Scholarship Fund with the Community Foundation in 2002. The purpose of the donor-advised scholarship fund is to provide scholarships to deserving post-secondary students with preference given but not limited to Brunswick High School graduates or members of All Saints Episcopal Church.
The fund has distributed $92,000 in scholarships to help students pursue their educational goals. One of those students is Bradley Stone, who graduated from Brunswick High School in 2016 and then earned his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Towson University in 2020. The Lisa A. Orndorff Lajewski Memorial Scholarship Fund helped with the costs of books, lab fees, and tuition. Bradley is currently training for his EMT-B certification and is volunteering with the United Steam Fire Engine Company, earning patient care experience hours toward his goal of returning to Towson to become a physician’s assistant. Bradley is just one example of the many students the scholarship fund has helped over the years.
Mr. Lajewski has continued to honor his wife’s legacy and has been an active participant in the Community Foundation’s scholarship selection process, volunteering countless hours to review applications. He has described the experience as inspiring and in reviewing student applications each year, Mr. Lajewski reflects and tries to remember how his wife would select an applicant.
The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s online scholarship application opens today and remains open through March 31. Scholarships are available to students pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training during the 2021-2022 academic year. Students about to complete their senior year of high school, students already enrolled in a trade school, college or university, and nontraditional students over the age of 21 are eligible to apply. Scholarship criteria are established by the scholarship funds’ founding donors, and some scholarships do not consider financial need.
We encourage all students to apply. To fill out an application and learn more about our program, visit www.ScholarshipsFrederickCounty.com.
The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s scholarship application deadline has been extended to Monday, April 6, 2020. This is to allow students additional time to complete the application following the closure of schools in Maryland to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
With just one week remaining until the application closes, we encourage all students who are eligible to apply. For the fifth consecutive year, just over $1 million in scholarships is available to students pursuing postsecondary education or vocational training during the 2020-2021 academic year. Our scholarship program supports nearly every area of study imaginable, with scholarships funded by generous donors who believe in the value of education.
One of our scholarships that has provided broad impact for students is The Joseph Donald Brewer Scholarship Fund. Founded by parents Abigail Richon and William Brewer, the fund honors the memory of their son Joseph, who passed away in 2002. The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarships to Frederick County graduating seniors who have dyslexia and are pursuing postsecondary education.
Joseph was a motivated student and worked hard to graduate early from Urbana High School in 2001. He did not allow his dyslexia to slow his dreams, and following his graduation, he started attending Lincoln Technical Institute, where he excelled in automotive technology and electronics. Joseph’s classmates remember him as having a kind heart and caring personality.
The scholarship that honors Joseph’s memory has helped many Frederick County students who have dyslexia achieve their educational goals. To date, 15 students have received more than $15,000 in scholarships to study at institutions such as McDaniel College, Marshall University, Lafayette College, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Anna Thornton, who is a previous Joseph Donald Brewer Scholarship recipient, appreciated the support she received from the scholarship.
“Being a student with dyslexia, it has been harder for me to be successful in school,” she said. “I would like to thank you for sponsoring a scholarship that does not only focus on a student’s grade point average but also their individual qualities.”
The Joseph Donald Brewer Scholarship has and will continue to help countless students and is one of our many scholarship success stories. Students interested in applying for our scholarships should visit www.ScholarshipsFrederickCounty.com. The deadline to submit the application is 11:59 p.m. on April 6, 2020.
FREDERICK, MD – December 17, 2019: During its recent FY2020 impact grantmaking cycle, The Community Foundation of Frederick County provided $288,900.69 to 42 area nonprofits dedicated to improving lives and enhancing Frederick County.
The grants are designed to assist local nonprofits with projects that have meaningful and direct impact on the residents of Frederick County. As a leading source of grant funding in Frederick County, the Community Foundation supports the arts, historic preservation, agriculture, health and human services, education, cultural understanding, animal welfare, scholarships, elder care, youth programs, civic causes, and more.
Impact Grant Funding was provided from the following funds:
The Addie B. Null Health Care Fund:
$1,383.43 to Wells House @Gale Recovery for holistic therapies for men in recovery program.
The AG-C.I.T.E. Fund:
$1,585.69 to University of Maryland/Frederick County Extension Office for its Kids Growing with Grains program.
The Animal Care Field of Interest Fund:
$1270.10 to Days End Horse Rescue for off-the-track abused and neglected thoroughbreds care.
The Bar Association of Frederick County Justice for All Fund:
$2,000.00 to Friends of the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County for storage unit funding.
$9,114.72 to Mental Health Association of Frederick County for CASA of Frederick County program.
$5,000.00 to Spanish Speaking of Community MD, Inc. for Critical Needs Partnership with Frederick County Public Schools.
The William E. Barnhart Memorial Fund:
$14,970.00 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD for home repairs for a cancer patient through its A Brush With Kindness program.
The Brunswick Area Fund:
$2,527.20 to Mission of Mercy to provide medical and dental care for uninsured and underinsured residents in Brunswick.
The Dola Burkentine Nonprofit Marketing Fund:
$514.41 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD for marketing support of its A Brush With Kindness program.
$573.66 to Frederick Career and Technology Center FFA Alumni for student safety training.
$2,500.00 to Platoon 22 to assist veterans with the cost of building trades certification.
The Mary Gregg Cornish Memorial Fund:
$1,181.00 to Historical Society of Frederick County, Inc. for its History in the Garden program.
$1,319.00 to The Flowers Over Frederick Fund in support of grants beautifying downtown Frederick.
The William E. Cross Special Needs Fund:
$3,730.24 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD to support home repairs for seniors through its A Brush With Kindness program.
The Dan Crozier Music Trust Fund:
$550.00 to Brunswick High School Drama Boosters for Brunswick High School’s 2020 spring musical.
$950.00 to Frederick County Public Schools for its elementary instrumental music library and $1,500.00 for pianos for Brunswick High School.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Regional Youth Orchestra for jazz music purchases.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Children’s Chorus for spring concert and summer camp sheet music purchases.
$1,400.00 to Historical Society of Frederick County, Inc. for its Heritage Frederick garden and streetscape enhancement project.
The Easels in Frederick Fund:
$1,000.00 to Boys & Girls Club of Frederick County for its art program.
The Educational Enrichment Field of Interest Fund:
$825.32 to Girls on the Run of Frederick County for its summer camp program.
The England Family Fund:
$652.37 to Frederick Rescue Mission for TransIT bus passes for Faith House clients.
The Enhancing Agriculture Field of Interest Fund:
$685.24 to University of Maryland/Frederick County Extension Office for its Kids Growing with Grains program.
The Environmental Preservation Field of Interest Fund:
$677.31 to Catoctin Forest Alliance for educational, hands-on learning center adaptations of recreational areas.
The Frederick Jaycees Fund:
$1,330.45 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County for supplies for its Brush with Kindness program.
The Frederick Keys Care Fund:
$1,500.00 to Advocates for Homeless Families for its after-school and summer activities programs for children who are homeless.
$1,500 to Blessings in a Backpack for weekend backpacks of food for Frederick County Public Schools Success Program for Special Needs Students.
$3,829.56 to Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Inc. for its Veterans of Youth Empowerment project.
$2,000.00 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) for its New Horizons Academy Life Skills program.
$2,200.00 to YMCA of Frederick County for sensory tools its Kids Unlimited Program.
The Historic Preservation Field of Interest Fund:
$630.34 to The Claire McCardell Project Fund for its public art project to recognize fashion artist Claire McCardell.
The Sharon I. Hooper Fund for Children:
$3,135.52 to Blessings in a Backpack for weekend backpacks of food for Lincoln Elementary School students in need.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Rescue Mission for its summer enrichment camp.
$1,909.00 to The Delaplaine Arts Center for art kits for youth coping with traumatic situations and/or experiencing homelessness.
$5,000.00 to The Salvation Army for its Pathway of Hope program to break generational cycles of crisis and vulnerability.
$2,000.00 to Weinberg Center for the Arts for Families Need Fun program providing event tickets to catastrophically ill children and their families.
$2,500.00 to YMCA of Frederick County for its Kids Unlimited Music program.
The Human Services Field of Interest Fund:
$671.10 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County for its Brush with Kindness program.
The Job Training and Skills Development Field of Interest Fund:
$1,439.04 to Literacy Council of Frederick County, Inc. for employer-customized curriculum for workplace literacy classes.
$610.53 to African American Resources, Cultural Heritage Society (AARCH) of Frederick for its County Globe Preservation project.
The Charles V. and Louise D. Main Endowment Fund:
$9,219.00 to Calvary United Methodist Church for Calvary Weekday School student tuition support.
$542.23 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD for its A Brush With Kindness program.
The Parks Field of Interest Fund:
$782.81 to The Claire McCardell Project Fund for its public art project to recognize fashion artist Claire McCardell.
The Performing Arts Field of Interest Fund:
$687.01 to City Youth Matrix to support extra-curricular activities in the performing arts.
The Persons with Disabilities Field of Interest Fund:
$1,035.71 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD to support home repair and modifications for persons with disabilities through its A Brush With Kindness program.
The John L. and Lucille H. Ponton Charitable Fund:
$50,000.00 to Children’s Hospital Foundation to provide patient families resources and lodging assistance.
$37,529.50 to Hospice of Frederick County for Camp Jamie.
$4,174.21 to Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for financial support to families with children experiencing catastrophic medical issues.
$3,000.00 to Frederick Rescue Mission for summer enrichment camp.
$2,500.00 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership (SHIP) for its New Horizons Academy life skills program.
$1,279.57 to Girls on the Run of Frederick County for its summer camp program.
The Pritchett Family Foundation Fund: $1,660.00 to City Youth Matrix to provide scholarships to children with financial need for extra-curricular activities.
$601.07 to Girls on the Run of Frederick County for its summer camp program.
$1,000.00 to Mission of Mercy, Inc. for medical and dental care and support for patients with substance use disorder.
$1,256.41 to Wells House @ Gale Recovery for men in recovery to receive music therapy.
$500.00 to Maryland Food Bank for its senior pantry program.
The Secret Santa Fund:
$1,317.91 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD to support home repairs for seniors through its A Brush With Kindness program.
The Transportation Field of Interest Fund:
$950.94 to Centro Hispano de Frederick to support its Golden Years program van rental.
The Mildred B. Trevvett Music Education Fund:
$922.07 to The Frederick Children’s Chorus for music educator professional development.
$726.86 The Claire McCardell Project Fund for its public art project to recognize fashion artist Claire McCardell.
$10,613.45 to Frederick County Infants and Toddlers Program for financial support to families with children experiencing catastrophic medical issues.
$1,192.46 to City Youth Matrix to support extra-curricular activities for children in foster care.
$500.00 to Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership for its New Horizons Academy life skills program.
$3,927.00 to Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County for its Brush with Kindness program.
Community Foundation unrestricted funds provided the following grants:
$6,541.66 to Blessings in a Backpack for Pre-K student weekend food packages to students of low-income families at Lincoln Elementary School.
$1,000.00 to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry for hunger relief in Frederick County.
$1,000.00 to Frederick Rescue Mission for kitchen supplies.
$5,000.00 to Heartly House for client transportation, security deposits, rental assistance, and more for clients.
$15,000.00 to The Housing Authority of the City of Frederick for Young Men Rising program.
$3,500.00 to Lions Club of Frederick for eye care assistance to low-income individuals.
$1,700.00 to Literacy Council of Frederick County, Inc. for volunteer work space improvements.
$4,000.00 to Maryland Food Bank for senior pantry program.
$10,000.00 to Mental Health Association of Frederick County for crisis services support.
$10,000.00 to Mission of Mercy for medications for those who are uninsured and under-insured.
$6,590.00 to The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs to purchase shelter beds.
FREDERICK, MD – October 1, 2019: The Community Foundation recently recognized its FY2020 Strategic Funding Partners. These donors financially support the Community Foundation’s strategic grantmaking areas of supporting families with children, responding to substance use disorder, preparing for an aging population, access to health care, services for the homeless and precariously housed, and school-readiness for children.
Strategic Funding Partner gifts to The Supporting Families with Children Strategic Initiatives Fund are: Steven and Pamala Barger, The Steve and PJ Barger Family Fund; Jeff Robertson, The Julie Ann Robertson Cashour Memorial Fund; Robert G. DeLauter, The Robert G. DeLauter Fund; The FoodPRO CORP Fund; Robert G. Hooper, The Robert G. Hooper Family Fund; Drs. Robert and Jane Ladner, The Robert C. and Jane E. Ladner Charitable Fund; Sally R. Lyons, The Lyons Family Fund; David and Kay Stauffer, The David and Kay Stauffer Family Fund; The Kiwanis Fund of Suburban Frederick Fund; Daniel and Jacqueline Ward, The Dan and Jackie Ward Family Fund; Elizabeth J. Brady; Marion D. Carmack, Jr.; Nancy N. Franck; Larry and Deborah Grove; Elizabeth K. Hale; Addie B. Null; Shirley R. Richardson; and Michael and Marlene Young.
Strategic Funding Partner gifts to The Preparing for an Aging Population Strategic Initiatives Fund were received from: Dr. Arthur Anderson and Julane Anderson; Steven and Pamala Barger, The Steve and PJ Barger Family Fund; The FoodPRO CORP Fund; Drs. Robert and Jane Ladner, The Robert C. and Jane E. Ladner Charitable Fund; Sally R. Lyons, The Lyons Family Fund; David and Kay Stauffer, The David and Kay Stauffer Family Fund; Daniel and Jacqueline Ward, The Dan and Jackie Ward Family Fund; Elizabeth J. Brady; Marion D. Carmack, Jr.; Dorothy L. Etzler; Nancy N. Franck; Elizabeth K. Hale; Donald and Rebecca Linton; Addie B. Null; and Shirley R. Richardson.
Strategic Funding Partner gifts to The Responding to Substance Use Disorder Strategic Initiatives Fund were received from: Steven and Pamala Barger, The Steve and PJ Barger Family Fund; James and Amy Clapp, The James H. and Amy N. Clapp Family Fund; The FoodPRO CORP Fund; Peggy Waxter, The Garrett R. Petronchak Memorial Fund; David and Kay Stauffer, The David and Kay Stauffer Family Fund; Daniel and Jacqueline Ward, The Dan and Jackie Ward Family Fund; Elizabeth J. Brady; Addie B. Null; and Shirley R. Richardson.
A gift to The Children and Youth Strategic Initiatives Fund was received from The PNC Fund and a gift to The Health Care Strategic Initiatives Fund was received from David G. and Karen L. Thomassen.
Gifts to The Strategic Initiatives Pass Through Fund were received from these Strategic Funding Partners: James and Caroline Atkins, The Caroline and Jimmy Atkins Fund; Joan Barrick, The Samuel W. and Joan J. Barrick Fund; Mark and Susan Butt, The Mark and Susan Butt Saturday Mornings Fund; The Frederick Mutual Insurance Company Donor-Advised Fund; Charles and Peggy Hoff, The Charles W. Hoff, III and Margaret O. Hoff Family Fund; Sally R. Lyons, The Lyons Family Fund; Robert K. Moler, The Robert and Ardeth Moler Family Fund; Philip and Erika Rauh, The Philip Rauh Family Endowment Fund; Virginia K. Brace and Jana M. Moberly; William H. Browning, Jr.; Bernard J. and Krista A. Davisson; Andrew P. and Anna P. Grossnickle; James and Wanda Hartley; Gabrielle Keller; Karlys Kline and Thomas Lynch; Jeanne R. Lee; Addie B. Null; Shirley R. Richardson; Tod and Barry Salisbury; Alfred and Patricia Shockley; Betty M. Waltz; De Walt Willard, Jr.; and Donald and Beverlie Wissner.
Dawn Renee Smith was a student who excelled at marketing. She was active in community service projects, and her kindness and goodwill toward others was experienced by everyone she met. A scholarship fund in her memory at The Community Foundation of Frederick County helps students who exhibit qualities and interests similar to hers pursue their post-secondary educational goals and career aspirations.
As a graduate of the Frederick County Career and Technology Center’s marketing program, Dawn had success in the classroom and applied her skills, leadership, and character to pursuits outside of the classroom. She served as president of the Frederick County chapter of DECA, a national organization for marketing students that promotes leadership development and civic responsibility. Dawn received statewide recognition for her role in increasing the organization’s local membership, and she was involved in numerous other community service projects.
Dawn’s life was tragically cut short when she passed away after injuries sustained in a car accident shortly after her high school graduation. In 2004, her grandparents, Charles and Jane Smith, turned to the Community Foundation to establish The Dawn Renee Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund in Dawn’s memory provides scholarships to Frederick County Public Schools graduates, with preference given to Brunswick High School graduates who are majoring in marketing or a related field at the post-secondary level.
Since the fund’s inception, scholarships have provided broad impact and have supported students studying at institutions such as Frederick Community College, University of Maryland, Stevenson University, and American University.
Dawn’s legacy lives permanently with the Community Foundation with the scholarship fund in her memory. Thanks to her grandparents’ generosity and vision for the future, students pursuing education in marketing will receive vital support for generations to come.
The Community Foundation of Frederick County’s online scholarship application is open through March 31. Scholarships are available to students pursuing post-secondary education or vocational training during the 2021-2022 academic year. Students about to complete their senior year of high school, students already enrolled in a trade school, college or university, and nontraditional students over the age of 21 are eligible to apply. Scholarship criteria are established by the scholarship funds’ founding donors, and some scholarships do not consider financial need.
The life of William Eugene “Gene” Barnhart will have a profound impact on others with three funds created with The Community Foundation of Frederick County through his estate provisions. With Mr. Barnhart’s generosity and vision for the future, countless students will benefit from educational scholarships, people battling cancer will receive vital support services, and Broadfording Church of the Brethren will receive support for its operations.
Mr. Barnhart was originally from Laytonsville and then later became a Middletown resident. He was a farmer for most of his life, followed by a second career as an auto mechanic. Some of Mr. Barnhart’s earliest memories were of his parents, Evelyn and Ernest, farming their land during the difficult times of the Great Depression. From a young age, he helped his parents sustain their livelihood.
Mr. Barnhart’s lifelong love of farming, coupled with his desire to see farming continue to thrive in Frederick County, prompted him to turn to the Community Foundation in 2008 to establish The Gene, Evelyn and Ernest Barnhart Family Scholarship Fund. The fund provided post-secondary scholarships to students studying agriculture at the University of Maryland for a number of years, according to Mr. Barnhart’s direction. The fund was then closed when the last scholarship was awarded.
Mr. Barnhart passed away in 2013. Through his estate provisions, he created three new funds with the Community Foundation. Honoring the legacy of his parents, The Gene, Evelyn and Ernest Family Scholarship Fund II provides post-secondary scholarships to Frederick County high school graduates pursuing a career in agriculture. With Mr. Barnhart’s first scholarship fund and the new one created through his estate provisions, more than $135,000 in total scholarships have been awarded to students to pursue their agricultural educational goals through his generosity.
The William E. Barnhart Memorial Fund provides grants to Frederick County residents with cancer and/or organizations in Frederick County that provide direct services for people battling cancer. The fund has supported organizations such as Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County for home repairs for a cancer patient through its A Brush With Kindness Program and the Patty Pollatos Fund to provide financial assistance to adults with cancer. To date, the fund has provided more than $93,000 in grants.
The third fund Mr. Barnhart created through his estate provisions was The William E. Barnhart Memorial Fund for Broadfording Church of the Brethren to support the church’s operations. To date, more than $121,000 in grants have been distributed from the fund.
The three funds in Mr. Barnhart’s name have provided broad impact in the community. He will be remembered and appreciated by countless people who will benefit from his generosity.
FREDERICK, MD – October 9, 2019: With foresight and vision, John C. Summers’ planned gift has created two funds that will help many people in the years to come. The John C. Summers Fund and The Myersville Lions Club Scholarship Fund become two of more than 720 component funds managed by The Community Foundation of Frederick County.
The John C. Summers Fund will assist people residing in Myersville, Maryland who have financial need regarding their utility bills or property taxes. Grants will be provided to nonprofits with programs for screening and qualifying applicants.
The Myersville Lions Club Scholarship Fund will provide post-secondary scholarships to students who are residents of Frederick County, Maryland, and Washington County, Maryland, studying in medical or health care related fields.
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