From healthcare to education, housing to recovery, scouting to community associations – the Touching Lives in Frederick County Awards offers a moment of public recognition for non-management staff members of non-profits who have demonstrated outstanding involvement and commitment to touching the lives of others. Read more about the 19 honorees for 2022 below.
LYSA PRICE
Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County
Lysa Price has been with Habitat for Humanity for a little over a year as the Interim Store Manager. She began as the sales manager but has since transitioned into this role. In the past, she worked directly with donors to process physical items. Her new role is more community based, collaborating with other nonprofits. Habitat is a nonprofit that believes in affordable housing, Lysa believes strongly in this mission.
Meeting people within the community has been Lysa’s greatest joy. She is thrilled to partner with other nonprofits to bring in more donations and increase building projects here in Frederick. Lysa has worked with ReSupply to expand into Ebay sales and is excited about this major partnership. She loves to look to other Restores and other Habitat organizations to see what is working and what could use improvement. Lysa has a background working in corporations like Target. She says working in a nonprofit has a different feel that she loves. Helping others and seeing the impacts of her work is the best feeling. She loves meeting recipients of Habitat’s services.
“Even before I started in my own role at Habitat for Humanity, Lysa Price’s reputation at the Habitat ReStore preceded her. From the first time I met her as a store customer, her friendly greetings and warmth toward everyone in the store, customers and ReStore associates alike, was evident. Lysa brought her own expertise in retail organization and management, and utilized that experience to help transform the store into Frederick’s most sought-after thrift location, which in turn has accelerated the revenue we generate to support our non-profit Mission. Lysa’s can-do attitude and incredible teamwork, combined with her incredible attention to customer service, has helped our ReStore as it soars to new heights.”
–Eric Anderson, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County
LORRIE LEE
Maryland Ensemble Theatre
Lorrie Lee started volunteering at the MET in 2000 and began as a staff member in 2011, as the Special Event and Ad Sales Coordinator. Prior to starting with the MET, Lorrie had no theatre experience. However, she was able to use her great artistry skills that she cultivated during her time as a graphic artist at the Gazette and while working at her father’s silk screen printing company in her youth. Her graphic skills have been utilized by the MET to help create sets, advertisements, and posters. She also dabbled in multiple other roles during her time including positions in the Box Office and as an Assistant Director.
One of Lorrie’s major accomplishments is the MET’s transition from an all-volunteer organization to having 20 paid staff today! Another moment of pride for Lorrie has been planning and managing the Retro Prom, an annual fundraiser. Many people, Lorrie noted, have not even seen a MET production but go to the Prom every year because they know it’s such a fun time. Her biggest achievement to date was a shout out on WYPR for her set design for Fred’s Diner!
“I love it so much because everybody is working toward the same goal and takes pride in what they do,” comments Lorrie. Her enthusiasm for her work is evident and pours into her daily life. She takes care of her parents who live in Montgomery County and babysits her 7-month-old grandson in her spare time. She only wishes she could see her grandchildren in Kansas more!
“Lorrie has been an invaluable part of MET for many years – her institutional knowledge of what we do is immense. She is MET’s biggest fan… she is a one-woman party planner and knows everything about how to run [Retro Prom] seamlessly. Our donors and patrons know and love her!”
-Katheryn Vicere, Managing Director of the MET
BOB HOSIER
City Youth Matrix
Bob Hosier has been volunteering at City Youth Matrix (CYM) since its conception and has been an integral part of the organization’s success. As their Director of Information Technology, Bob and his team launched a strategic plan focused on enhancing the organization’s IT Infrastructure to better connect with their volunteers and parent partners. These efforts resulted in the launch of a bilingual website and a parent portal database to support and guide families through membership and activities.
While his work to enhance the structure and operational efficiencies of CYM is something that he is proud of, Bob gets a special twinkle in his eye when he talks about his experiences working with the children and parents of CYM. It’s no secret that Bob values the importance of family. In fact, he is surrounded in his work by his own hardworking and generous family who are equally committed in helping other families build a better future for their children.
When asked about his favorite aspect about volunteering with CYM, he states it’s the relationships he has developed and watching the vision of his son-in-law, Aaron come to life. His wife of 50 years, Jan, is his co-captain coming along as he drives the parents and children to their enrichment activities. The couple often stays for the events and have become like family to the people they support. His colleagues at CYM confidently say that Bob is the first person to say “yes” to a request for help or to volunteer at an event.
“Winston Churchill once said, ‘We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.’ Bob Hosier has brought his lifetime of knowledge and experience to City Youth Matrix and has been making our lives richer by what he gives to us and to the families we serve. I have admired him as my father-in-law, and I am proud to call him my colleague. He has provided our family and the families of City Youth Matrix a shining example that making a life comes from a giving heart. His work ethic, service above self and excellence with performance is truly a gift to the CYM mission.”
-Aaron Vetter, CYM Executive Director
MICHAEL FAIRLEY
St. John Regional Catholic School
Michael Fairley began working at St. John Regional Catholic School three years ago while he was in the last semester of his master’s degree at Mount Saint Mary’s University. In his first year, he taught business and technology classes and was the school’s Technology Coordinator.
In his second year on the job, Michael’s time was split between the classroom (or Zoom) and his Technology Coordinator position. This, Michael admits, was one of the hardest things he had to do as he tried to navigate his own hybrid classroom and help other teachers navigate theirs. While this was challenging, St. John’s was able to keep its doors open and allow students the opportunity to join online. Michael felt most proud of this accomplishment from his career – keeping the students safe.
When he is not at school, he is helping to coach lacrosse with the Key City Foundation. He saw it as an “opportunity to give back and to give back to a sport that taught [him] so much.” Having played lacrosse throughout his life, he teamed up with Walkersville coach Randolph Clark to provide youth with opportunities to engage with the sport. In this organization, Michael is able to bridge the gap between recreational sports and competitive club sports which can be costly and heavily based on experience. As a result, this team allows youth to play competitively for little to no cost. As a life-long native of Frederick County, Michael has immersed himself in his community and has inspired the youth with whom he works.
“Thankfully, Mr. Fairley was on board and ready to tackle all of the technology challenges presented to us. We were up and running thanks to his guidance and leadership.”
-Principal of St. John Regional Catholic School, Dr. Annette
TERRI BOETTCHER
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.
Terri Boettcher has worked as the Administrative Assistant at the Delaplaine Foundation for more than 20 years before her recent retirement. Terri is often the first impression that people see of the Delaplaine Foundation. She exemplifies the Foundation’s core mission of commitment to uplifting others and enriching communities, families and quality of life for all. Terri has a deep personal and professional sense of compassion, is dedicated to her work and community and inside the Foundation and outside through community, family, and church involvement, Terri’s heart for others shines forth.
Terri is involved through the various programs and initiatives of Delaplaine Foundation, her church and particularly groups involving pain management support. Terri’s genuine smile and dedication to doing her best each day with steadfast commitment and in representing Delaplaine Foundation within the community is unmatched.
“It gives me great pleasure to nominate Terri Boettcher for the Touching Lives award recognition as she exemplifies a steadfast dedication to compassion in action by lifting up others through the work she assists in doing through Delaplaine Foundation.”
– Marlene Young, President – Delaplaine Foundation, Inc.