Janis Miller Wertheimer
Named for the late Janis Miller Wertheimer, a well-known Frederick County businesswoman and prolific volunteer, Wertheimer Fellows are recognized for their sweat equity rather than their financial contributions to the local community—leaving a lasting legacy of giving in everything they do. The award aims to honor a volunteer who doesn’t seek or receive a lot of recognition for their countless hours of community service.
Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism are recognized at the Community Foundation’s Annual Report to the Community each November and are awarded $25,000 to establish or add to a permanent fund with the Community Foundation for the nonprofit or charitable endeavor of their choice.
The Wertheimer Youth in Action Award honors a young person under the age of 18 each November who is positively impacting the community by volunteering their time and talent and is awarded a $2,000 grant to give to the nonprofit of their choice.
Elaine Junker
Elaine has been a volunteer with Frederick Health Hospice for 28 years. She has logged close to 8,000 volunteer hours and has spent time with more than 450 patients. Beyond giving her time, she has also personally raised more than $95,000 for the organization through her Handmade for Hospice knitted pieces. Her donations help Hospice offset the cost of services that are not reimbursable, such as the veteran’s program, music therapy and the Kline Hospice House, which provides specialized 24-hour care in a home-like setting. She has also volunteered with Frederick County Landmarks and has been active in the Frederick Woman’s Civic Club for 16 years, in addition to serving as a volunteer and mentor at the Friends of the Child Advocacy Center since 2010.
“It is satisfying to make lives easier for people who are dealing with unknown territory and emotional upheaval, when they are wondering how they will cope,” Elaine said. “Hospice volunteers are strangers who step in to provide help and support to get through this period. I discovered a need that I could fill in a supportive but unobtrusive way.”
With her award, Elaine is creating The Elaine Junker Hospice Enrichment Fund to support Frederick Health Hospice as it provides care and comfort to patients and their families.
Shirley Shores
Shirley is best known for her work as the Brunswick Ecumenical Assistance Committee on Needs (BEACON) treasurer and administrator of the Emergency Relief Fund, positions she has held since the organization’s inception in 2006. Shirley volunteered for 20 years with the Brunswick Food Bank and is known for taking meals to Brunswick House, an apartment complex for low-income senior citizens. Shirley served on the board of Frederick County Coalition for the Homeless (now known as Frederick County Continuum of Care Collaborative) and served as a trustee of The Community Foundation of Frederick County for 7 years. She is also active with American Legion Post 96 Brunswick and Grace Episcopal Church.
“I hope that I have made a positive impact on the quality of life to my neighbors in the Brunswick community through my compassion and support,” Shirley said. “Taking the time to listen and to make a person feel that they are loved and valued does make a difference. When I’m out in the community and someone says ‘hello Ms. Shirley’ it gives me a feeling of joy and gratitude knowing I made a connection and a friend.”
With her award, Shirley is contributing to The Brunswick Emergency Relief Fund to benefit Brunswick area residents who are facing financial emergencies.
Caitlyn Lee Lewis
Caitlyn, a student at Phoenix Recovery Academy, serves her community by volunteering in various addiction treatment groups and centers across Frederick County. She uses this time to share her experiences, strengths, and hopes with individuals battling addiction, to understand and explore a different path in life. When she is speaking in the treatment centers, she is kind, caring, compassionate, and provides active listening to adults who are experiencing setbacks and struggling with their recovery. She is dedicated to her work and enjoys each opportunity she gets to speak and share her story with others. Caitlyn actively volunteers to help when there is a need and speaks up when she sees someone who is struggling.
“I feel good when I see others succeed and push through challenging times within their early sobriety,” Caitlyn said. “I have also enjoyed seeing others succeed and find new ways to cope with challenges they faced by gaining employment, phasing up in the residential programs, and remaining in school to graduate. Community service is important because it makes me feel like I’m a part of something and it helps others.”
With her Wertheimer Youth in Action Award, Caitlyn will provide a grant to Heartly House, Inc. in support of its mission.