Hits for Healthy Kids

Freedom Federal Credit Union Sponsors Hits for Healthy Kids

In Partnership with the Aberdeen IronBirds, to Benefit Pediatric Services at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health

Freedom Federal Credit Union is proud to announce a new partnership with the Aberdeen IronBirds and The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation with the launch of Hits for Healthy Kids. This season, every time an IronBirds player gets a hit during a home game, Freedom Federal Credit Union will donate $10 to benefit services for children at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH). Hits for Healthy Kids started on June 14^th on opening day and will run through the end of the regular IronBirds season.

Hits for Healthy Kids is a refresh of last season’s partnership, Homeruns for Healthy Kids, which benefited services for children at the MedStar Health Bel Air Medical Campus. Freedom donated $2,600 at the end of the season to MedStar, and is looking forward to having an even bigger impact through this new initiative.

“Our partnership with Freedom Federal Credit Union amplifies the work both organizations continue to do in the community,” stated Matt Slatus, IronBirds General Manager. “As we work together on this summer’s Hits for Healthy Kids initiative, I’m confident our IronBirds will do everything they can on the field to make sure the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation benefits from our continued relationship with Freedom Federal Credit Union.”

“The IronBirds and the UM UCH represent two great Harford County institutions, and we are proud to join forces with them in an effort to support health services for Harford County youth”, stated Freedom’s President and CEO Mike MacPherson. MacPherson also serves on the Board of Directors for The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation.

With Hits for Healthy Kids, Freedom builds on its existing partnership with The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation. To date, Freedom has donated $130,000 to support initiatives to improve health services in Harford County through UM UCH.

About Freedom Federal Credit Union

Freedom Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered federal credit union offering consumer financial services to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, attend school, or have family in Harford County. Additionally, Freedom offers a full-line of banking services for all businesses, associations, and other organizations that are based in Harford County. Freedom has been in business since 1953 and has five locations throughout Harford County. To learn more, visit freedomfcu.org

About The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation

The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation supports the mission of University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health through developing relationships with local citizens and organizations who wish to take part in the expansion and improvement of healthcare services provided in Harford County. Through the work of The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, the community supports their hospital through philanthropic gifts, planned giving, participation in fundraising events and volunteerism.

About The Aberdeen IronBirds

The IronBirds, short-season ‘Class-A’ affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, are owned by Harford County’s own Bill Ripken and his brother, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. Playing games at Aberdeen’s Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium since 2002, the IronBirds provide affordable family entertainment in the Upper Chesapeake region while working with community partners to better the community the team plays in. In 2019, the IronBirds will provide nearly $300,000 in charitable giving and support to Harford County-based non-profit organizations.

Freedom Sponsors 1st Annual Magic of Science Fair

May 20, 2019 – The APG Discovery Center held its first annual Magic of Science Fair at the APG Discovery Fest at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The APG Discovery Fest, held on May 4^th, 2019 was an opportunity to see what is being done “behind the fence” at APG, including demonstrations of APG technology, a job fair with nearly 2,000 participants, and the First Annual Magic of Science Fair for middle schoolers.

The APG Discovery Center, with the help of the Harford County Senior Science Society, planned and organized the Magic of Science Fair, which included students from eight middle schools and several home-schooled students. There were 25 projects with 33 students who entered the juried competition. Projects ranged from citrus powered phones to harnessing solar energy, gravity’s effect on root growth, and the impact of hurricanes on different housing structures. Winners were determined as “Best in Grade”, “Runner-Up”, and “Honorable Mention”.

Student Awardees stand on stage with ribbons — APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Randy Taylor and Freedom Federal Credit Union’s Business Development Director, Sue Manning, stand with award recipients at the Magic of Science Fair.

The Magic of Science Fair was sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union, a strong supporter of the APG Discovery Center. Freedom’s Business Development Director, Sue Manning, was present for the awards ceremony. Their sponsorship included high tech prizes like 3-D printers, virtual reality systems, and robotic kits, which were awarded at each grade level. “It was a privilege to meet these phenomenal young people and an honor for Freedom to present them with awards that will encourage their love of science and technology,” stated Manning.

The APG Discovery Center is envisioned to be a 30,000 square foot facility, located near, but not on, the APG property. The intent is to develop a destination location for STEM related activities, APG displays providing a view of “tomorrow’s technology today”, and a place to show and retain the more than 100 years of history at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Additional information can be found at http://www.apgdiscovery.com/

About APG Discovery Center

The APG Discovery Center will be a place where students of all ages experience, create, and play with science and technology. A place where new worlds are discovered, and connections are made. In addition to interactive exhibits, the Discovery Center will offer after-school programs, maker spaces, and serve as an anchor for the region’s STEM activities. Phase I, The Discovery Preview Center will open in Aberdeen, Maryland in late 2019.

About Freedom Federal Credit Union

Your Story Starts with Freedom

I want to tell you and, in turn, have you tell others, just how amazing it is to be part of Freedom. The numbers show we’re part of a strong financial institution headed in the right direction, but the thing everyone needs to know is that Freedom is living the credit union philosophy. We realize providing access to the financial products and services people need or want is essential; we realize providing those products and services at the most reasonable rates and fees is an obligation; and we realize ensuring convenient access with branches, over the phone or through online and mobile banking is a priority. Beyond that, however, is that our commitment to people helping people; to fair and honest transactions, to integrity and trustworthiness, and a pledge to do what is right by our employees, our members and our community is the true lifeblood of Freedom. When we put people first, Freedom thrives. Our strategic focus of member and employee experience has helped drive the financial strength of Freedom.

When we promote Freedom we use words like trust, partner, member-first financial solutions and others like them, to share our story because one of our biggest challenges is awareness. Despite all the marketing, commercials, community involvement, word of mouth, people still don’t understand the Freedom difference, the benefit of banking at Freedom. They don’t know that we do mortgage or commercial lending, they don’t realize we have the same technologies and accessibility as a large national bank. They don’t realize that too big to fail often means too big to care for people as individuals, to hear their story and do the best to help them achieve their goals. When I think about this, I remember that Mr. Rogers quote I sent before about the helpers which I think applies here. There are a lot of scary things; people focused on me rather than we and financial institutions or businesses putting self-interest before people’s well-being. That’s why at Freedom, we strive to be one of the helpers. We make it our mission to help by providing quality, affordable, cutting edge services and products for our members and being a partner in the community. Whether its planning for retirement, setting a budget, buying a first home or new car, helping with medical or education expenses, taking a well-deserved vacation, or supporting a myriad of philanthropic and charitable endeavors to make our community better and improve the lives of our neighbors, the theme of the annual meeting “Your story starts with Freedom” says it best.

Carry that message from here, because when you share your experience, and as more members join and benefit from all we have to offer, the more we can and will continue to evolve, thrive and grow. Just as our members’ story starts with Freedom, our story endures because of them.