Behind every one of the more than 800 charitable funds held by The Community Foundation of Frederick County lies a story—a reflection of hope, resilience, and generosity. Some stories emerge from moments of triumph: a family celebrating success by starting a fund, a nonprofit ensuring its mission endures, or a business giving back to the community that helped it thrive. Others, however, are born from profound loss, when grief transforms into a driving force for change. Peggy Waxter’s story is one of those. After losing her son to a drunk driver, Peggy channeled her heartbreak into action, dedicating the past 30 years to ensuring no other parent has to experience that unimaginable call.
In the spring of 1995, Peggy’s son, Garrett R. Petronchak, was a bright, promising student at Frederick Community College. With plans to graduate and transfer to a four-year university, his future was full of possibilities. During spring break, Garrett went out with friends, planning responsibly to get home with a designated driver. But plans changed, and he accepted a ride from someone else.
“He got in the car with someone who was very intoxicated,” Peggy said. “The driver lost control, and the car flipped three times, front over back. All three passengers were ejected through the sunroof.”
Garrett, the youngest of Peggy’s three children, was just 19. A football and tennis player at Walkersville High School, he was a good student with thoughts of becoming a teacher. “He never gave us any trouble,” Peggy remembered fondly. “He was thoughtful and driven, and he had so much life ahead of him.”
Dealing with tremendous grief after the loss of her son, Peggy made a decision to transform her pain into purpose. She established The Garrett R. Petronchak Memorial Fund with the Community Foundation to honor Garrett’s memory and began hosting fundraisers to ensure the fund would create lasting impact. “It was important to me to carry on Garrett’s legacy,” Peggy explained. “The death of a child changes everything. My life’s direction shifted entirely, and I became deeply involved in the community.”
For years, Peggy organized Garrett’s 5K Run/Walk, an event that raised both awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving and funds for the scholarship. She also became a powerful advocate, speaking at high schools during pre-prom assemblies, sharing Garrett’s story in vivid detail to help students grasp the devastating consequences of one poor decision. “I didn’t hold back, I shared the horrific details of the accident,” Peggy recalled. “So many students came up to me afterward, tears in their eyes, telling me how much it impacted them.”
Peggy’s advocacy didn’t stop there. She spoke on victim impact panels for the court system and seized every opportunity to share her story, aiming to prevent others from experiencing the same tragedy. “I know these efforts have made a difference,” Peggy said. “It’s how I keep Garrett’s legacy alive.”
Around 2010, Peggy transitioned Garrett’s scholarship fund into a grant-making fund supporting local nonprofits focused on preventing drunk driving. Over the decade, the fund has awarded more than $60,000 to organizations like the Safe Ride Foundation, founded by Wayne Dorsey.
Peggy met Wayne through Key City Rotary and was inspired by his work to combat drunk driving. The Safe Ride Foundation, Frederick County’s only nonprofit dedicated to this cause, was established in 2015 with a mission to eradicate drunk driving through education, rehabilitation, and prevention. Its flagship program, SOS Safe Ride, offers an Uber-like service that ensures individuals get home safely in their own vehicles.
Unlike Peggy, Wayne’s inspiration didn’t stem from personal tragedy. “I was 23 in grad school at a huge party school, surrounded by people making bad decisions,” he said. “I didn’t experience a tragedy, but I saw the need for this service.”
With a degree in computer engineering, Wayne chose to channel his skills into making a difference. Today, the organization has seven full-time staff and a team of 90 volunteers who Wayne said are “superheroes who will stay up until 2 a.m. to make sure people get home safely.”
The first ride is free, and while returning customers are expected to pay, Wayne emphasizes that no one in need is turned away. In addition to rides, the foundation offers Steered Straight, a DUI education and rehabilitation program that has served over 260 offenders with zero repeat offenses. “We’re incredibly proud of that,” Wayne said.
Garrett’s fund recently awarded a grant to the Safe Ride Foundation. “It aligns perfectly with what Garrett’s fund is all about,” Peggy said. “Getting people home safely and preventing drunk driving.”
This coming summer, Garrett would have turned 50—a milestone that Peggy admits brings deep reflection. “These moments take you to a place you try not to go,” she shared. Still, she remains steadfast in honoring Garrett’s legacy, knowing the fund she created in his memory will continue making a difference for generations to come.