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"Pulling for Alex," the slogan for supporters of Windsor Knolls Middle School student Alex Hancock, is about to take on a whole new meaning.

On Dec. 6 residents of the Kemptown area will be treated to hayrides on wagons decked out in Christmas lights, according to event organizer Jerry Murphy, who is also the vice president of the Maryland Chapter of the International Harvester Collector Club.

Murphy said that when he heard the slogan "Pulling for Alex," he thought a fundraiser hosted by the Harvester Collector Club was a perfect fit.

"That's how we got the idea," he said.

The Monrovia community is so dedicated to helping out Alex, that Murphy said he had nearly every hay wagon in the area ready to go for the event. He said while a large crowd is expected, there will be plenty of wagons available.

"We've got them all on standby," he said.

Alex, 10, of Monrovia, was diagnosed with a cancerous medulloblastoma in March, and immediately needed surgery to remove it. Since then, Alex has completed chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but she requires long-term treatment to keep the cancer at bay.

Alex's family has required assistance to help cope with mounting medical costs, and the Monrovia and Kemptown communities have responded.

One fundraiser, the Kemptown Fall Festival 5K, took place on Saturday, and another fundraiser, Alex's Election Day Bake Sale, took place on Nov. 4. The New Market District Lions Club catered both of these events, providing funnel cakes and hot dogs for attendees. According to Debbie Hall, a member of the Kemptown Elementary PTA, the New Market Lions always participate in the Kemptown Fall Festival, donating 20 percent of their profits to the school and the rest to a charity of their choice. This year, the Lions chose the Patty Pollatos Fund, contributing on Alex's behalf. The Patty Pollatos Fund is a charity that supports local children suffering from serious illness or injury.

Murphy said it was important for members of the Kemptown community to pull together for the Hancock family and to support Alex during this difficult time.

"We all live in the same community," he said.

Murphy said that there will also be a pig roast with soup and baked goods sold in a heated pavilion.

Also, in keeping with the holiday theme, Santa Clause will make an appearance for the kids at about 1 p.m., Murphy said.

The hay rides and luncheon will be held on Browningsville Road, off of Md. Route 75 near Kemptown on Dec. 6, although the rain date is Dec. 7, according to Murphy.

Scouts clean up roadside

Three Boy Scouts from New Market Troop 268 took out the trash in Monrovia earlier this month.

Brian Battaglia, C.J. Battaglia and Jonathan Gober collected four bags of roadside liter on Nov. 9, spending that Saturday cleaning a section of Green Valley Road and Baldwin Road as part of Maryland's Adopt a Highway Program.

The troop is sponsored by the Bush Creek Church of the Brethren and meets there every Wednesday evening.

Community Foundation names Wertheimer Fellows

Frederick is full of volunteers who dedicate countless hours to improving the lives of their neighbors, but the commitment of four individuals has garnered the attention of The Community Foundation of Frederick County Inc.

The foundation named Dr. George Waxter and Grace Winpigler, both Frederick residents, and Orley and Margaret "Peg" Bourland of Walkersville as 2008 Wertheimer Fellows for Excellence in Volunteerism. The volunteers were publicly recognized during the foundation's annual report to the community at the Francis Scott Key Holiday Inn in Frederick on Monday.

Every year since 2003, The Community Foundation has recognized three or four outstanding volunteers and awarded them with $10,000 to start their own fund or contribute to an existing fund or nonprofit.

ïWaxter has been the primary volunteer dentist for Mission of Mercy's Frederick County site since 1997, providing uninsured residents with free dental care and exams. He is also a volunteer with Frederick Steeplechasers' Running Club, the Festival Latino de Frederick and Frederick County Health Department among others. Waxter established The Peggy Waxter Fund for Mission of Mercy with his award.

ïWinpigler, a former dental assistant, has spent years volunteering with Frederick County 4-H, The Great Frederick Fair, Frederick Church of the Brethren and many more organizations. She has also developed clinical dental service and awareness programs for Frederick County Public Schools and helped establish The Frederick County Dental Assistants Association. With her award, Winpigler started The Grace Brashear Winpigler Dental Healthcare Fund to support the dental healthcare and treatment of residents at Citizens Care and Rehabilitation Center and Montevue Home.

ïThe Bourlands, married for more than 50 years, have volunteered thousands of hours in the Walkersville community including at the Walkersville Branch Library, Walkersville United Methodist Church and Glade Valley Food Bank. They have also donated time to the Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs. In 2000, the Glade Valley Athletic Association dedicated The Bourland Field. The couple will share their Wertheimer award and have created The Peg and Orley Bourland Educational Assistance Fund for Glade Valley.

Do you have an item for News & Notes? Contact reporter Chris Brown at 301-846-2132, e-mail chbrown@gazette.net or fax news to 301-846-2124.