Volunteers passionate about their work
get recognized
Sept. 7, 2006
By JOSEPH M. DELEON News-Post Staff
jdeleon @ fredericknewspost . com
FREDERICK — When Charlie Smith met his wife, Jane, more than 60 years ago on a blind date at church, he didn’t know it would lead to a lifetime of love and sharing with the community. “After we left church, we went to a skating party and have been together ever since,” he said Wednesday. “Some people have other hobbies, but for us, we like being helpful to others.”
The Community Foundation of Frederick County honored the Smiths and two other individuals with three 2006 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism awards Wednesday.
The award is a $10,000 gift made to a charity on behalf of the recipient and honors the memory of Janis Miller Wertheimer, who was well-known in Frederick County for her generosity and volunteerism.
The foundation was started in 1986 with money from Ms. Wertheimer’s estate to support nonprofit organizations that serve Frederick County. It also awards scholarships to deserving Frederick County students.
Mr. and Ms. Smith gave their gift to the 4-H youth program in Jefferson where they live.
“4-H has been a big part of our lives. We have four sons who are national 4-H scholarship winners,” Mr. Smith said.
“We never did it for honors, but it’s nice to be recognized.”
The foundation also recognized Cecilia Bach for creating a fund to help Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
Betsy Day, foundation president, likened Ms. Bach to a parade of volunteerism who gathered friends, volunteers and donations to help families in need.
When the families grew from three to nearly 20, she grew more determined.
“Volunteering is the right thing to do,” Ms. Bach said. “But the hugs and appreciation from families is pretty overwhelming.”
Ms. Bach, a resident of Frederick, picked Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County to receive her gift.
The third person honored, Marlene England, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and works with local soup kitchens. Her passion is helping homeless women and children find a place to live.
Ms. England, who lives in Woodsboro, donated her award to Hope Alive, a 13-acre retreat on the Blue Ridge Mountains of Sabillasville for women and children without homes.
She said she was honored, yet embarrassed, by the award because there are so many other people who work hard to help people in need.
“It’s always been a concern that there are families in my own community that have no place to live,” she said. “I think about women and children coming not to a place to live, but to a home at Hope Alive.”
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