Community Difference Maker
By Alisha Yocum
Ed and Karen Schildt
Nominated by: Bill Derbyshire
Ed and Karen Schildt (pictured right) have become pillars of the Catoctin community, dedicating themselves to raising awareness and offering support to those struggling with addiction or grieving the loss of a loved one to addiction.
Their journey began with their son, Chris, who developed an addiction after being prescribed painkillers following a high school sports injury. As his struggle deepened, the couple faced immense challenges in finding resources to help their family navigate the crisis.
Feeling lost and without guidance, they founded a support group in March 2016. Tragically, just a few months later, Chris lost his battle with addiction, passing away from an overdose.
Despite their heartbreaking loss, the Schildts remain committed to ensuring no other family feels alone in the fight against addiction.
The couple faithfully hosts bi-monthly support group sessions in Frederick, bringing together individuals in recovery, families of those battling addiction, and those grieving the loss of loved ones.
Ed says they were blown away by the support the community showed them after Chris’ passing.
“The receiving line at the funeral went for over 10 hours, and people stood in 100-degree temperatures to show their support. For weeks, people mowed our grass and brought us food, said Ed.”
The couple didn’t know how they could ever thank the community that had shown so much support. The Schildts would soon realize, after a suggestion from a close friend, that the best way they could repay their community would be through advocacy and awareness.
Their first event, held at Catoctin High School, featured a powerful theatrical performance, called Introduction to the Enemy, which personified addiction as a monster in the room. The overwhelming response to this event led to the formation of the Thurmont Addiction Commission (TAC).
At the first meeting, 70 people showed up and TAC continues to formally be supported by the Town of Thurmont. Its members consist of community members, including middle and high school representatives.
TAC operates on three core pillars: educational awareness, support for those in recovery, and prevention and outreach. The group puts these pillars into action by setting up informational tables at community events, assembling gift bags for the Orenda Center in Sabillasville and other sober living houses, speaking to groups, and turning the town purple each September in honor of National Recovery.
In addition to their work with TAC, both Karen and Ed serve on the Board of Trustees and the Outreach Committee at Weller UMC in Thurmont, and you’ll also see them around the ballfields in town. Ed has been active in youth sports for many years and is currently a head coach for his granddaughter’s softball team.
“God had a plan,” reflects Karen. “It might not have been our plan and our timing, but all the people we have met, people that we have helped, and the friendships we’ve made along the way…God had a bigger plan for us.”
To volunteer for TAC or if you need assistance or support with addiction, contact Ed at Elschildt36@gmail.com/240-285-8079 or Karen klschildt@gmail.com/240-285-8076 at any time.
If you know a person making a difference in our community, please nominate them by emailing news@thecatoctinbanner.com.
