Hope In Handbags Event A Success — Thanks!

8th Annual Event Harford Family House’s Best Ever!

The Harford Family House announced that last weekend’s “Hope in Handbags” purse auction event was very successful.

Thanks to everyone at Freedom who helped — members, employees and volunteers! Special thanks to Freedom employees Alicia Bowman, Patrice Ricciardi, Rachel Schmidt, Andrea Woodard, and especially Tony Sjolie for contributing to the success of this special event.

This year’s 8th annual event raised over $28,000, after expenses just short of $26,000. This money will provide 1,040 nights of shelter for local families.

To learn more about the Harford Family House and their mission, visit their web site, http://harfordfamilyhouse.org/.

Freedom Employees Get Destructive

Staff Complete Habitat for Humanity Demolition

On a hot August day, nine Freedom staffers joined Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna to help their community and burn off some energy. Habitat staffer Bill Schmidt began the day by explaining Habitat’s mission and methodology. The home project, located in Edgewood, required staffers to clear out trash and debris, remove doors and trim, pull up carpet—whatever it took to create a clean slate for renovation inside and out.

As the day’s temperature soared, kitchen cabinets were demolished and floors ripped up. A load of recyclable metal and reusable items was assembled and loaded onto Habitat trailers. A large dumpster was filled and hauled away. And a sweaty, tired bunch of employees was ready to head home for a shower! The dirty work was all to help local residents buy safe, affordable housing in our area. It was a gratifying experience for the volunteers.

You, too, can support Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna. Go online to Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna’s web site to see what it’s all about and become a volunteer. Or simply buy discounted building supplies, appliances, antiques and more from Habitat’s new ReStore location in Aberdeen.

Freedom employees who volunteered for a Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna demolition project in August, 2016 — **Freedom volunteers from left:** Andrea Woodard; Keith Gill; Marcus Johnson; Kati Grasmick; Bob Wehland; Jeff Herman; Habitat for Humanity staff member Bill Schmidt; Susan Tannahill; Rachel Schmidt; Kelly Berends

Bob Wehland and Keith Gill working at a local a Habitat for Humanity demolition project — **From left:** Bob Wehland, VP of Business Banking and Keith Gill, CFO

Freedom staffers Kati Grasmick and Andrea Woodard working — **From left:** Andrea Woodard, Member Services Call Center Representative, Edgewood branch, and Kati Grasmick, Financial Services Representative, Forest Lakes branch

Kids’ Cents Segment Now Live on YouTube

Segment Features Our Kids’ Art Calendar Contest Winners

Freedom’s Kids’ Art Calendar is complete. Watch the latest Kids’ Cents segment for interviews with some of the young artists!

Kids’ Art calendars are in all branches beginning October first. Calendars are free to members, but please consider supporting local children with a donation. Benefits from the Kids’ Art Calendar go to Harford County’s Greater Excellence in Education Foundation, or GEEF.

The TV Show

Kids’ Cents is part of a monthly Harford Cable News Network show for young viewers. Freedom sponsors Kids’ Cents as part of our commitment to financial education for individuals of all ages.

Check out our YouTube channel for more financial education resources. The Freedom YouTube channel also features past Kids’ Cents episodes.