The Advocates for the Aging of Frederick County held a reception on Thursday, September 26, 2019, at the Thurmont Regional Library to recognize the philanthropic legacy of the late Donald L. Lewis, specifically the creation of the Adult Evaluation and Referral Services Program (AERS) under the Advocates for the Aging (AAFC).

A Thurmont native, Lewis and his wife, Freda, owned and operated the Lewis Confectionery on the square in Thurmont. Donald was a U.S. Army Veteran who served in the European Theater during the D-Day Invasion of Normandy. He was Mayor of Thurmont for two terms (1964 to 1970) and served as a Frederick County commissioner and then a legislative representative for Frederick County in Annapolis. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying interaction with community members by selling sporting goods at Lewis’ Store.

Lewis was a loved member of our community, and he loved the community back. He also greatly loved Freda. After her death in 2004, he honored her memory by naming the physical and occupational therapy wing of the Citizens Care & Rehabilitation Center in her honor.

After his death in February of 2018, at the age of 99, through the trusted management of his niece, Sue Ferguson, he continued his legacy of community service by supporting several projects, including the AERS. This fund is a life-line for low-income and frail seniors to support nursing staff requests that improve a client’s quality of life, but for which the costs could not be covered through regular sources. Examples include assisting with the purchase of a prosthetic limb, an electric wheelchair, an air conditioner or a microwave.

If you are able, please consider including the Donald L. Lewis Fund for the Frederick County AERS Program in your charitable giving plans. For more information, please email info@advocatesforaging.org or visit www.advocatesfortheaging.org online.