As a nonprofit organization, The Chamber is uniquely attune to the issues local nonprofits are dealing with in the face of COVID-19. From operating restrictions to loss of revenue, it has become a unique challenge to continue to provide the services and supports many community organizations have been offering for years.
Each month we use this space to highlight a member and encourage you to support their businesses. This month, in honor of Giving Tuesday, we are turning our attention to the nonprofit organizations of Frederick County. We asked them to share their missions, goals and needs with you with hopes that you will take some time to get to know them, and be inspired to help when and where you can.
Read below to learn more about some of the various nonprofits that make the Frederick community whole.
Giving Tuesday: Support Local Frederick Nonprofits
United Steam Fire Engine Company #3
United Steam Fire Engine Company #3 was established November 1845 and has maintained it’s proud tradition of answering the call for help ever since. Currently operating with over 150 volunteers and three (24/7) career shifts we stand ever ready to respond to “all-hazards” including fires, medical emergencies, car accidents, airplane crashes, hazardous materials releases and rescues.
The United Fire Company of today is a proud organization that sits atop a solid foundation of history and tradition. Combined with it’s ability to adapt and change to meet today’s dynamic world of fire & rescue services United Fire Company volunteers stand ready to meet the needs of our community day or night.
Support them here: UFC3
Mission of Mercy
For more than 25 years, Mission of Mercy has been providing free healthcare, free dental care and free medications to the uninsured, underinsured and those who “fall through the cracks” of our healthcare system. Since 1994, Mission of Mercy served more than 43,000 patients who have visited the clinics over 217,000 times, dispensed more than 403,000 medications.
With the support of 220 mission-driven, medical and non-medical volunteers, Mission of Mercy operates both a mobile medical and a mobile dental clinic. Churches provide host sites for our mobile clinics in Taneytown, Reisterstown, Brunswick and Frederick in Maryland and Gettysburg and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania. Hospitals in each of our serve areas provide free lab work and x-rays for our patients.
Mission of Mercy is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. We do not rely on government support, rather, our funding is derived from foundations, corporations, churches, service clubs, workplace giving, individuals and special events.
Support them here: Mission of Mercy
Frederick Children’s Chorus
The Frederick Children’s Chorus was founded on the principal that any child, regardless of training or financial standing, should be able to become the best singer they can be. We believe that money shouldn’t keep children from raising their voices in song.
Support them here: Frederick Children’s Chorus
Other Voices Theatre
Other Voices Theatre is a local Frederick non-profit performing arts company known for its community feel with a professional look. OVT produces four Mainstage shows a year and an annual Family Holiday show. Other Voices began with the acclaimed production of The New Adventures of Alice in Wonderland Easter weekend in 1996. Two years later, the organization was officially established as a 501(c)3 to provide the Frederick community quality theatre and dance performance opportunities.
Under the direction of Susan Thornton, OVT has grown to support local high school productions, tour TYA shows to area elementary school and day care facilities, and provide community service opportunities for its team. Other Voices has continued to expand its offerings and programs to better serve its community. In 2016, we partnered with Renaissance Chef Catering Co. to bring an in-house dining experience to our cafe. For the 2017-2018 season, we began to offer subscriptions and expanded select shows to an eight performance run. We have more to come in the future, and we hope you’ll be there for it.
Support them here: Other Voices Theater
Second Chances Garage
Second Chances Garage, founded in 2010, is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) charity based in Frederick, Maryland. Our mission is to provide affordable, reliable transportation to economically vulnerable individuals and families. We fully realize that reliable transportation is a vital component for self-sufficiency, for stable employment, and for the care of children. To that end, we accept donated vehicles of any condition or mileage, repair what we can, and pass them back into the Frederick County community.
We do this in one of two ways at our shop at 528 North Market Street in Frederick. The donated vehicle is taken into our shop and thoroughly examined to 
determine what needs repair or replacement. Once that’s done and a list of needs is created, the vehicle moves into the repair phase. If it’s a solid vehicle with less than 200,000 miles, it’s repaired, Maryland inspected, and placed into our “program.” As a “program” vehicle, it is reserved in our system until provided, for a nominal fee, to an individual or family referred to us by one of our over 20 partner agencies in the Frederick area.
If the vehicle doesn’t meet our strict criteria to be a program vehicle, we repair what needs attention and sell the vehicle from our lot either as Maryland inspected or as is to the general public for the lowest possible price.
In both situations, our goal of getting usable vehicles back in service for those who might otherwise be unable to own a vehicle is being accomplished.
Additionally, we have a Reduced-Cost Auto Repair Program for individuals and families that currently have a vehicle in need of repairs. In this program, local residents who qualify economically have repairs done to their vehicles for essentially half of what a normal garage would charge for the same work. To see if you qualify for this program, click here.
Support them here: Second Chances Garage
Federated Charities
As a nonprofit center, Federated Charities is committed to renting effective and innovative space to nonprofits at below-market rates. Over more than 100 years, this commitment has generated millions of dollars that organizations can use for critical services in our community…services that benefit all of us.
Support them here: Federated Charities
Rotary Club of Fredericktowne
Support them here: Rotary Club of Fredericktowne
Hood College
Through an integration of the liberal arts and the professions, Hood College provides an education that empowers students to use their hearts, minds and hands to meet personal, professional and global challenges and to lead purposeful lives of responsibility, leadership, service and civic engagement.
Support them here: Hood College Giving Fund & Hood College MAC Athletic Challenge
Maryland School for the Deaf
The Maryland School for the Deaf, a diverse, bilingual community, in partnership with families, provides an equitable and exemplary education in a nurturing, engaging, and challenging environment to ensure our students achieve personal excellence and become responsible lifelong learners.
Support them here: Maryland School for the Deaf
Empowering Community Leaders Network
Our mission is to provide educational and cultural enhancement opportunities that foster leadership development for Middle School girls.
Support them here: Empowering Community Leaders Network
Girls on the Run of Mid & Western Maryland
At Girls on the Run we inspire ALL girls to build confidence and make intentional decisions, while fostering care and compassion for self and others. Trained coaches use physical activity and dynamic discussions to build social, emotional and physical skills in every girl while encouraging healthy habits for life.
Support them this year by registering for their Virtual Candy Cane Dash 5k.
Support them here: Girls on the Run of Mid & Western Maryland
L’arche Frederick
L’Arche Frederick envisions a community of loving homes where people with and without disabilities live and work together as peers; create an inclusive community of faith and friendship; and transform society through relationships that cross social boundaries. The mission of L’Arche is to make known the gifts of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, revealed through mutually transforming relationships; to respond to the changing needs of our members, while being faithful to the core values of our founding story; and to engage in our diverse cultures, working together towards a more human society.
Support them here: L’arche Frederick
Fort Detrick Alliance
According to the Fort Detrick Alliance’s Mission statement, the primary purpose of the organization is to facilitate “communication and understanding between Federal agencies at Fort Detrick and the community at large”. To accomplish this mission, the Fort Detrick Alliance works on a daily basis to build relationships between Fort Detrick and its constituencies in the region: individuals; businesses; civic, social, and educational organizations; and local and State government entities.
Also, on December 8 at 11 a.m., join us for the Holiday Mix & Mingle Business Exchange for some holiday cheer and virtual networking. This event will allow for valuable connections to be made in small group breakout room sessions. Breakout room topics to include: Business Services and Advancements, COVID Pivoting, and Opportunities for Collaboration. Come prepared to share information about your company. And every attendee will be entered to win festive holiday prizes. REGISTER HERE! https://www.
Support them here: Fort Detrick Alliance
Friendship by LiliZach
Finding a community and support network as one navigates the adventure of Down syndrome can make the journey less isolating and lonely. When Diany and Wendy became friends in 2017, it was an immediate bond. This something “huge” in each other’s lives felt much more manageable when the two families got together. Lili and Zach are friends, too, and their friendship proves that a chromosome can mean very little when kiddos are happy and healthy and having fun.
We hope that Friendship by LiliZach will make new parents, loved one, community members, teachers and health professionals realize the beautiful truths about Down syndrome and will help create a network of support and love.
Support them here: Friendship by LiliZach
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.