Frederick Gorilla Magazine
While studying English Literature at Hood College, I obtained an internship at the Frederick Gorilla Magazine. I attended many company events and conducted interviews for the magazine. I was awarded the opportunity to be published in the magazine’s April_May 2015 issue. Although the magazine no longer has an active website, I have posted images of my articles, along with a written description beside them.
Frederick County Bank: The Value of Acting - And Banking - Locally
An independently owned bank created by local business owners, Frederick County Bank (FCB) has already provided banking services to Frederick County for 14 years. More than a bank, FCB is a solid member of the community, actively involved in supporting a number of charities and nonprofit organizations through donations, sponsorships, and volunteer work.
“The money that flows through our bank is put back into our community,” explains Mary Barry, business development officer at FCB. “Whether it’s for business owners to start a business, homeowners to purchase their first home, working with colleges, or working with nonprofits to grow their sectors.”
With its roots in Frederick County, FCB Values thinking and acting locally, working hard to make Frederick County a better place to live, work, and play by “empower[ing] individuals and businesses to be their best.”
There’s another big plus when working with FCB. “You get more direct service,” says Barry. “A lot of us who work in Frederick live in Frederick. There are familiar faces; you know us.”
One nonprofit organization that FCB is particularly proud to partner with is The Arc of Frederick County, which, as part of its mission, “provides advocacy, access to resources, and assistance in increasing individual and family connections for people with developmental disabilities.” FCB partners with the Arc by “providing them with the funding to open up a new facility,’ says Barry. “The Arc purchased a piece of property that was run by another nonprofit. Now it has a better location for some of their services, classes, and workshops.”
The loan provided by FCB has led to a deeper relationship between the bank and nonprofit. More than the loan, it’s an ongoing partnership, designed for the Arc to better manage its finances. “We have an online banking service, payroll, and direct deposit,” says Barry. These services allow a nonprofit to be better organized and to do more with their accounts at FCB. It is, at its core, providing an opportunity to empower the nonprofit to plan, work, and engage its constituencies better.
Taking local community action even further, FCB has a dedicated committee for charitable work. Says Barry, “We have a program, CAC (Community Action Committee), and it’s an opportunity for our employees to get involved. We choose several nonprofits throughout the year that we support. This year, the Arc is one of them.”
For FCB, the Arc also provides an avenue for volunteerism. “It’s a more structured opportunity,” says Barry. “The Arc comes to us with a project, and we say, “Okay, we’ll provide you with 10 volunteers to help for a day, whether it’s painting or planting in a garden. The Arc is another avenue for somebody in our community that just wants to turn around and give back.”
As a member of this community, giving back is a priority for FCB. While providing all the services one expects from a modern-day financial institution, it is FCB’s local connectedness to this community, that helps to make this institution stand out.
Tara Shoemaker & Associates: Compassionate Representation in the Most Difficult Circumstances
When in a difficult situation, understanding the law can often be messy, confusing, even scary. Without a doubt, it’s important to have access to expert legal counsel. Locally, Tara Shoemaker & Associates has established a reputation for expertly and sensitively steering clients through rough legal waters.
“I represent people in difficult and stressful legal situations, including, but not limited to, divorces, custody battles, serious traffic matters, and criminal charges, including felonies and misdemeanors,” says Tara Shoemaker, who splits case work with two additional, experienced attorneys, David Cahn and Mike Perkins. “In addition, I do civil and domestic mediation, [and] I frequently volunteer my time as a pro bono lawyer for less fortunate members of the community.”
Tara Shoemaker & Associates is ranked in the “National Top 100 Trial Lawyers” and proudly recognized by the Maryland State Bar Association. Both certifications are representative of the firm’s
professionalism and service. “We offer competent, compassionate representation,” says Shoemaker. “My goal is to treat each client as I would a member of my family going through similar circumstances.”
Shoemaker’s vice president of client relations, Jester, is “highly skilled at putting everyone at ease,” she adds. For a dog, Jester has already developed quite a resume.
In addition to the practice, Shoemaker volunteers as a pro bono attorney for Heartly House, a local nonprofit, which is a safe haven for those suffering from domestic violence and sexual assault. While Heartly House provides services like counseling, transition housing, child care, and career advice, Shoemaker focuses on providing legal assistance, representing survivors of abuse and assault. She also represents clients who file for divorce and protective orders.
“Often, Heartly House is the first responder for those in our community who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, or child abuse,” says Shoemaker. “It is a privilege for us to volunteer in our community for survivors of abuse.”
Shoemaker adds, “The community benefits by having a comprehensive provider of resources for those who are affected by domestic violence and sexual assault. Without Heartly House, it is questionable where or how these resources would be available to members of the community, if at all.”
As this area’s refuge for domestic abuse survivors, Heartly House is an essential part of this community. The work that Tara Shoemaker & Associates does to support Heartly House in its mission can be, in the most upsetting cases of domestic abuse, potentially lifesaving.
The partnership that exists between Heartly House and Tara Shoemaker & Associates represents what can happen when businesses and nonprofits work together to tackle some of our community’s messiest, most confusing, most difficult, and yes, scariest situations.
YMCA of Frederick County: Strengthening the Community through Healthier Lifestyles
Looking for a healthier lifestyle? The YMCA of Frederick County is the perfect place to make that happen.
“The mission of our movement is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all and to strengthen the community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility,” says Chris Colville, YMCA CEO.
With rising trends of poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle, the YMCA is actively working to combat these in ways that people might imagine, such as its state-of-the-art fitness center, but in other ways that people might not, such as its ongoing programming in gymnastics, dance, swimming, and summer camps.
“We believe all people have potential, and connected families make for active and connected communities,” says Colville. “We believe in a holistic approach to development. We believe in a diverse world; we are stronger when we are inclusive and our doors are open to all. We believe in honoring our mission, living our cause, acting in accordance with our values, and placing the greater good above self.”
According to Colville, the YMCA has been delivering “transformative responses” to the social challenges facing us all, including here in Frederick.
“For over 160 years the YMCA has been innovating its programs and delivering transformative responses to urgent social challenges,” says Colville. “Our movement affects meaningful, enduring change.”
Get Your Feed On
Have a craving for a homecooked meal, but don’t want to cook it? Check out these springtime feeds for your next slice of downhome, fire hall friendliness.
Carroll Manor Fire Co., Inc.
2795 Adams St., Adamstown, Md.
(301) 874-5111
Sportsman’s Bonanza, $35, Saturday April 18, 3-8 p.m., dinner at 5 p.m.
Middletown Volunteer Fire Co.
13 S. Church St., Middletown, Md.
(301) 371-6907
Mother’s Day Dinner, May 10, 12-4 p.m.
Myersville Volunteer Fire Co.
301 Main St., Myersville, Md.
(301) 293-9817
All You Can Eat Country Breakfast, April 18, May 16, 7-10:30 a.m. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $3 children 6-11, children 5 and under, free.
New Market Volunteer Fire & Rescue
76 W. Main St., New Market, Md.
(301) 600-9150
Country Breakfast, May 10, 7 a.m.-12 p.m. $8 adults, $5 seniors, $4 children 6-10, children 5 and under free.
New Midway Volunteer Fire Co.
12012 Woodsboro Pike, New Midway, Md.
(301) 898-0543
Pancake Breakfast, April 26, 7 a.m.-12 p.m., $8 for adults and $4 for children.
Vigilant Hose Co.
25 W. Main St., Emmitsburg, Md.
(301) 447-2728
Wing Feed, April 24. All You Can Eat Breakfast June 27.
Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Co.
2 S. Third St., Woodsboro, Md.
(301) 898-5100
Breakfast Buffet, April 5, May 3. The first Sunday of each month, September through May, 7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.