Second Chances Garage

During RY 2024-25, our club distributed $60,000 to nine local non-profits through our annual Service Partnership Grants program.

Preference is given to organizations whose missions dovetail with Rotary’s areas of focus: disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, maternal and child health, economic and community development, environmental issues, and conflict prevention.

By contributing funds and volunteering our time to local non-profits that already have effective outreach projects in place, we are putting one of our core values into action: there’s power in collaboration!

There’s No Place Like Home

Having a safe place to live is a basic human need, but it can be difficult to find—especially for older adults.

We partner with local companies and organizations to repair or renovate the unsafe homes of elderly individuals—and even relocate them when their living conditions are beyond repair.

Re-Envisioning Memorial Park

Our club’s relationship with Memorial Park in Downtown Frederick began many years ago with a commitment to get its grounds ready for Veterans Day in November and Memorial Day in May.

This year, we are proud to launch an effort that takes our commitment to Memorial Park to the next level. We will work with a representative of City Parks and Recreation and three local veterans to create an even more profound tribute to the residents of Frederick who have died in the service of our country to make this unique space even more special.

International Service

In addition to our commitment to our local neighbors, we have nurtured and supported at-risk children and vulnerable members of our international community as well by:

• Providing a water filtration system and nutritional breakfasts for Ethiopian students.
• Partnered with Lifetime Wells International to bring clean water to Ghana.
• Pledged $18,000 to Tsering’s Fund to provide scholarships, medical    care and basic living assistance to the underprivileged in Nepal.  
• Assisted the residents of the Guachipilin community in Honduras to achieve greater self-sufficiency and healthier living. 

Our Youth, Our Future

Our club has made supporting our young people a top priority. To introduce the next generation of public servants to Rotary, we have:

• Hosted 2-4 students each month throughout the school year for lunch, fellowship and informal mentoring. 
• Welcomed and hosted students during Education Week at the Great Frederick Fair
• Helped prepare local contestants to participate in the District 7620’s Four-Way Test contest.
• Awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships (funded by The Meredith and Helen Young Fund at the Community Foundation) to deserving students.
• Read with second graders at Monocacy Elementary School 
• Packed “blizzard bags” with Blessings in a Backpack 
• Donated school supplies for Stuff the Bus®

Remembering Simon

Last year, our entry into the Sailing Through the Winter Solstice flotilla, a Yellow Submarine co-built with our friends at The Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, raised $30,000 to help make Splash PoinT at Baker Park a reality.

When completed, this vibrant, inclusive splash park will be a tribute to Simon Turner, a special little boy who loved water play. Before his passing in 2019, Simon’s favorite moments were spent splashing in local fountains, inspiring his parents, Brent and Talia Turner, to create a space where families can safely enjoy the same simple joy. 

A Cleaner World

Partnering with Sustainable Frederick and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin has helped us make a measurable difference in the health of local waterways. 

During their twice-yearly Watershed Clean-ups, we helped remove over 1000 pounds of trash from parts of Rock Creek. 

Bell Ringing

On Saturdays in November and December, our members ring the bells to help fill the Salvation Army’s red kettles at some of the busiest retail locations in town.

Our efforts help fund programs that provide food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance, casework, family counseling, residential assistance and abuse counseling for local youth and their families. 

Find a Need and Fill It

We are always looking for one- and two-day projects that provide opportunities for our members to serve such as:

• Collecting Books for International Goodwill to be sent to underserved areas of the US and the world.
• Maintaining Downtown Frederick’s Memorial Park in honor of our veterans
• Participating in Wreaths Across America®
• Stocking the food pantries of local organizations including Beyond Shelter and Seton Center.