The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund

The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund

Joel A. Stephens was one of the most inspirational athletes to ever play in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He left a lasting legacy with the Frederick Keys and their sister club, the Delmarva Shorebirds. After finishing the 1997 baseball season with the Shorebirds, Joel was diagnosed with colon cancer. His valiant effort to battle the disease and his unfulfilled wish to get "one more professional at bat" with the Keys in 1998 left a lasting impression on those who were fortunate enough to know him. In late September of 1998, Joel passed away at the age of 22.

Joel exhibited a unique commitment to encouraging others, particularly children, to pursue their own goals. This is evidenced in a letter written by his mother, Joyce Stephens, on the event of the 5th annual Frederick Keys-SunTrust Charity Golf Event.

In memory of Joel, the Frederick Keys created The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund to benefit children dealing with serious illness, or the bereavement due to the death of a parent or sibling

Challenger Little League of Frederick County and Windows to the World Named 2006-2007 Joel's Kids Grant Award Recipients

Frederick, Maryland; August 8, 2006: The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund, one of over 525 funds held by The Community Foundation of Frederick County, is proud to announce awards of two grants totaling $3,000 to Frederick Challenger Little League and Window to the World, Inc.. Frederick Challenger Little League, which makes a Little League Baseball program possible for children throughout Frederick County ages 6 to 18 with developmental and physical disabilities, uses its $2,500 grant to organize two new teams for the 2007 season and to offset start-up equipment costs, including batting helmets, bats, catcher’s gear, and team jerseys. This is the second grant Frederick Challenger Little League has received from The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund, also known as “Joel’s Kids,.” since the grant was first awarded in 2002. Window to the World, Inc. uses its $500 grant from the fund to publish a student manners handbook entitled Best Foot Forward to address character education and social skills specifically among the residents of the Maryland Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, who are disadvantaged children between the ages of 10 and 18.

Frederick Challenger Little League and Window to the World, Inc. are the most recent “Joel’s Kids” grant recipients selected through a competitive application and screening process. Previous grantees include Myersville Junior Baseball League, Thurmont Little League and The Arc of Frederick County. Nonprofits awarded grants from The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund are asked to designate youth beneficiaries as “Joel’s Kids,” who will participate in special events with the Frederick Keys. Frederick Challenger Little League and Window to the World, Inc., working on behalf of the Maryland Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, will be honored prior to the Frederick Keys game at Harry Grove Stadium on August 25, 2006, where Amanda Burns, Kurtis Dennis and Andrew J. Jones will be recognized as the 2006-2007 “Joel’s Kids.”

Mark C. Zeigler of the Frederick Keys established The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund (aka Joel’s Kids) with the Community Foundation to honor the memory of Joel A. Stephens, a minor league outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles who succumbed to colon cancer in September of 1998 at the age of 22. While in remission, Joel wanted “one more professional at bat” and made an unsuccessful attempt to return to baseball with the Frederick Keys at Harry Grove Stadium during the summer of 1998. Joel’s love for children, particularly those with health-related issues, disabilities, difficult home situations, or suffering a loss, inspired the creation of the memorial fund. The annual “Joel’s Kids” grants from this fund are awarded to a nonprofit organization serving Frederick County youth or young adults 22 years of age and younger, or a religious organization in need of funding for non-sectarian activities benefiting youth activities. Funds can be used for one-time purchases, capital expenditures, start-up costs for programs in existence less than six months, purchases related to the provision of healthcare—including physical and mental health—for youth and young adults 22 years of age and younger, or the fulfillment of wishes of youth and young adults in the same age range.

Proceeds from the annual Frederick Keys Charity Golf Classic, title sponsored by SunTrust Bank, benefit The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fun, and help make this grant funding possible. The 11th Annual Frederick Keys/SunTrust Charity Golf Classic was held on July 11, 2006 at Hollow Creek Golf Course in Middletown, and raised $11,000 for the fund.

In addition, tax-deductible contributions by businesses or individuals to The Joel A. Stephens Memorial Fund are accepted in any amount at any time. Checks may be made payable to and sent to The Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 East Church Street, Frederick, Maryland 21701, with “Joel’s Kids” inserted in the check’s memo line. To make a donation using Visa or MasterCard, give online at www.cffredco.org.

Since 1986, the Community Foundation has been weaving the fabric of a better community by working with individuals, families, businesses, and civic organizations to set up charitable funds that enhance the local quality of life by awarding grants and scholarships. To date, more than $15 million has been provided in grants and scholarships. Visit www.cffredco.org to learn more about how the Community Foundation is the leading resource for information and strategies for making charitable dreams come true.

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For more information, contact:

The Community Foundation of Frederick County
312 E. Church Street
Frederick, MD 21701
301.695.7660
www.cffredco.org

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