‘Twas Just Before Christmas

‘Twas just before Christmas and oh what a year
With changes a plenty, we move forward without fear;
The mission was set for a new beginning to start
And a time for each of us to play an important part.

The staff were all nestled tight in their chairs,
With goals to be met hanging high in the air;
And me in my office with bright Christmas tie,
Had just settled in knowing year end was nigh,

When out in the branch there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Out through the door and to the railing I took
Then I leaned way over to get a good look.

The lights in the lobby and those on the tree
Gave a glow to the people and to all I could see,
When what, in amazement, should I finally spot,
But a sleigh and some reindeer out in the lot,

And a little old man running up to a teller,
That I just knew was dear Santa that jolly fat fella.
Faster than a cheetah to the line he did scurry,
And he appeared to be in a terrible hurry.

“Please help me, oh help me!” I heard him yell out
”I need some assistance,” he continued to shout.
“I’m short on supplies and my cash is depleted”
“I don’t know what to do and I’m feeling defeated.”

As I heard his plea I knew just what to do
But before I could blink into action staff flew.
To an FSR station he was gently escorted,
And a loan application taken so his problems be thwarted.

Then, in a twinkling, lending staff took the lead
And approved an amount that met all of his needs.
He was also provided other services like access online,
That made his life simpler and gave peace of mind.

His eyes started twinkling, his laugh grew quite merry
His cheeks got all rosy and his nose like a cherry;
He jumped to his feet and starting dancing around
And he ran through the branch with a leap and a bound.

“You’ve saved Christmas”, he shouted, “and not just for me,”
“But for everyone everywhere, just wait and you’ll see.”
I can restock supplies that have been so diminished
So the elves can be paid and the toys all get finished.

“But well beyond that, what means most to me,
Is you treated me with kindness, the way I wanted to be.
You asked about my needs and gave me just what was right
To ensure the success of my Christmas time flight.”

“It’s not always what you say or what it is that you do,
But the way you make a person feel that really shines through.”
He thanked everyone and rushed out to his sleigh
And said one more thing as he went on his way.

“Remember”, he bellowed, “it’s the experience folks remember”
“Don’t limit that to today or the month of December”.
Then we heard him exclaim, as he went out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”

FREEDOM ROCKS ’24: An Epic Night of Music, Fun, and Giving Back

Freedom Federal Credit Union and The Freedom to Help Foundation Sell Out 1st Annual Bull and Shrimp Roast in Support of Local Community Initiatives

Air Guitar Contest at Freedom Rocks — Rockstar vibes took center stage as contestants shredded their way through the Freedom Rocks ’24 Air Guitar Contest, delivering electrifying performances that had the crowd cheering and the room buzzing. Credit: Lisa Snodgrass

November 26, 2024 Bel Air, MD – Freedom Federal Credit Union, through The Freedom to Help Foundation, hosted its first-ever Freedom Rocks ’24 Bull and Shrimp Roast on Saturday, November 16th, raising over $21,000 to support its mission of enriching the community. The event brought together attendees for a night filled with food, fun, and philanthropy at Boumi Shriners in Rosedale, MD.

The proceeds from the sold-out event will directly benefit The Freedom to Help Foundation, which provides critical resources to support education, health and wellness, and military families throughout the communities it serves, which now includes Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, and Harford County.

The evening’s festivities included highlights such as an air guitar contest, a glow stick party, a TapSnap photo booth, basket auctions, a money wheel, 50/50 raffles, and a playlist of the greatest rock hits from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Attendees, dressed in their best concert gear, embraced the spirit of the night and helped make the event a tremendous success.

Every guest had an opportunity to visit the Freedom Rocks Merch Stand and select a complimentary Freedom Rocks T-Shirt to remember the night.

Freedom Federal Credit Union extends its deepest gratitude to all the sponsors who contributed to making this event possible. Special thanks go to The Kelly Group (Headlining Sponsor), Velera, and The Baltimore Sun Media Group, whose generous support made a significant impact.

Additional thanks go to the other event sponsors: Bravura, Community College of Baltimore County, MD|DC Credit Union Association, Elegant Restoration, Enradius, Harford Community College, Hartman Executive Advisors, Jones Junction, TB3, The Servion Group, Redmer Insurance Group, Kearly & Company, SIAB, Ben’s Tires, CBIZ Insurance Services, Dolphin Debit Access, Gerety Insurance, Global Memories Travel, Hopkins Farm Brewery, Origence, and Pixelspoke.

The Freedom to Help Foundation, established in 2023, continues to fulfill its mission of empowering communities, providing resources for individual success, and supporting those in need. Events like Freedom Rocks ’24 demonstrate the power of community partnerships in driving positive change.

For more information about The Freedom to Help Foundation, please visit freedomfcu.org/foundation. View additional photos from the event on Freedom’s Facebook page at facebook.com/freedomfcu.

About The Freedom to Help Foundation

The Freedom to Help Foundation supports Freedom Federal Credit Union’s commitment to the people and communities of Baltimore and Harford Counties. Established in January 2023, the Foundation’s mission is to enrich the communities we serve, empower individual success through education, provide resources for health and wellness, and to support our military and their families. Learn more at freedomfcu.org/foundation.

About Freedom Federal Credit Union

Freedom Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered federal credit union offering business banking services and consumer financial services to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, attend school, or have family in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, and Harford County. To learn more, visit freedomfcu.org.

Freedom Federal Credit Union Selects Eight Educators as their 2024 Golden Apple Recipients

Educators from across Harford and Baltimore Counties Were Honored on August 13

Freedom Federal Credit Union awards grant funds to its 2024 Golden Apple Annual Education Award recipients (L to R): Sara Shoemaker, Lauren Byrd, Sue Nickerson, Jen Olkowski, Savannah Yoder, Lisa Shipley, and Janet Bond. Not pictured: Christopher Hedges

August 26, 2024 – At a reception held at Mountain Branch in Joppa on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, Freedom Federal Credit Union honored Ms. Sue Nickerson and Ms. Jen Olkowski, as the grand award recipients of the Credit Union’s 2024 Golden Apple Annual Educator Awards. The program, now in its thirteenth year, offers eight annual educator awards of $2,000, $1,000, $500 and $500, four each to Harford and Baltimore County education employees who may be a deserving teacher, school administrator or school support employee. Golden Apple Award applications are evaluated by a panel of judges made up of Freedom employees, directors, and community leaders from both counties.

The two top grant awards both went to educators who envisioned ways to creatively utilize the outdoor spaces of their respective schools.

Ms. Sue Nickerson, a 1^st grade teacher at Fountain Green Elementary School in Bel Air, is using her $2,000 grant award to build a kinesthetic sensory path around the school. This intentionally designed “Warrior Challenge” obstacle course will support learning experiences by helping young students relieve stress caused by school anxiety, increase their sense of balance, refine their gross motor skills, and help develop their ability to focus as they learn to persevere during the challenges.

Like Ms. Nickerson, Ms. Jen Olkowski, also recognized the importance of making the most of natural spaces, and applied for a grant that would extend the walls of their classrooms. Ms. Olkowski, accepted the $2000 award on behalf of St. Stephen School to create a Montessori/STEM style outdoor learning center for their elementary students. Featuring opportunities for hands on experiments and simulations for project-based learning that aren’t easily accomplished in a traditional classroom space, students will have an accessible outdoor space that contains materials to build, engineer, design, tinker, mimic and solve real-life problems.

Freedom’s Golden Apple Award judges elected to present $1,000 awards to Ms. Savannah Yoder of Perry Hall High School in Baltimore County and Ms. Lauren Byrd of Hickory Elementary School in Harford County. Ms. Yoder is using her award to fund calming boxes to provide students experiencing difficult emotions with an outlet along with additional mental health events at Perry Hall Middle and High Schools. Ms. Byrd is also thinking “inside the box”, as she is investing in classroom transformation tubs, filled with most of what teachers would need to transform their rooms according to several themes at Hickory Elementary.

Four additional recipients were awarded $500 grants. In Baltimore County, Lisa Shipley, Career Navigator for Dundalk High School, is using her grant to expand service projects undertaken by the school’s Leader Academy. Meanwhile, Ms. Janet Bond, who works exclusively with deaf and hard-of-hearing students at White Oak School, is aiming to enrich her classroom and library with inclusive resources that better represent the disabilities of her students.

In Harford County, $500 grants were awarded to Mr. Chris Hedges, 1^st Grade Teacher at Havre de Grace Elementary School, along with Sara Shoemaker, a Spanish Teacher at Emmorton Elementary School. Mr. Hedges, who was represented at the awards reception by his colleague, Ms. Eileen Friel, has plans to create a native pollinator garden so that students can learn about pollination and the importance of insects to the foods we grow. Ms. Shoemaker is the county’s first ever Kindergarten Spanish Immersion Teacher, piloting a new program designed to teach Spanish to the school’s youngest learners. She is looking to use her grant award to create an immersive play experience for her students, pulling inspiration from Disney’s Encanto and Hispanic culture.

Carmen David Mirabile, Senior Vice President of Growth Strategies for Freedom Federal Credit Union, hosted and emceed the reception. “Today, we’ve come together to recognize and celebrate eight educators who are not only dreaming big but also turning those dreams into reality. These educators are trailblazing new paths with their innovative ideas and initiatives and helping to redefine what it means to teach in 2024 and beyond. I am extremely honored for Freedom to be able to support these initiatives, and help bring them to reality,” stated Mirabile.

Ben Richardson, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources at Harford County Public Schools (HCPS), offered opening remarks to the attendees. “First and foremost, a special thank you and appreciation to our community partner, Freedom Federal Credit Union. The innovation and sheer dedication from this year’s recipients are truly amazing and I wish to congratulate all the 2024 Golden Apple awardees on behalf of Harford County Public Schools,” stated Richardson.

Dr. Racquel Jones, Chief of Schools for Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), was also in attendance and offered closing remarks to the attendees. “I know in Baltimore County – and I’m sure in Harford County schools as well – we’re in the thick of back-to-school plans. We have a big year ahead of us all. Best wishes to everyone, congratulations to our Golden Apple recipients this afternoon, and good luck for a bold, successful, and rewarding new school year,” said Jones.

In addition to the guest speakers, Freedom was honored to bring together many special guests including the awardees, their families, school administrators, HCPS Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson, HCPS Principal of the Year Ron Wooden, and HCPS Teacher of the Year, Erica Richardson, and several members of local government.

The annual awards are intended to support Freedom Federal Credit Union members who are employed at a Harford County or Baltimore County school and have a creative vision for education that can only be met with community support. All applicants were asked to submit an essay demonstrating how their idea would serve their students, class, school, or their local community.

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 and Baltimore Counties. Additionally, Freedom offers a full line of banking services for all businesses, associations, and other organizations that are based in Harford or Baltimore Counties. Freedom has been in business since 1953 and has six locations throughout Harford and Baltimore Counties. To learn more, visit freedomfcu.org.

About Baltimore County Public Schools

Baltimore County Public Schools, the nation’s 22nd largest school system, is focused on raising the bar and closing gaps to prepare our students for the future. Thanks to innovative and talented leaders, teachers, staff, and students, BCPS celebrates many honors.

About Harford County Public Schools

The mission of Harford County Public Schools is that each student will attain academic and personal success in a safe and caring environment that honors the diversity of our students and staff. The vision of the Board of Education of Harford County is to inspire and prepare each student to achieve success in college and career.

Freedom Federal Credit Union Partners with Harford County Public Schools to Honor Staff Reaching Milestones of Service

Staff members achieving 10, 20, 30, and 40 years of service celebrated at Annual Employee Service Recognition Dinner

Dr. Sean Abel marks 30 years with HCPS — Dr. Sean Abel (center), Principal of Patterson Mill Middle and High School, stands with Superintendent Bulson and Board of Education President, Aaron Poynton. Abel is one of 67 HCPS employees who received special recognition for 30 years of dedicated service. Courtesy HCPS

May 24, 2024 – Freedom Federal Credit Union recently partnered with Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) in support of the HCPS Annual Employee Service Recognition. This program recognized 617 employees who reached 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 years of service in the 2023-2024 school year.

The program included a celebratory dinner which took place on May 8, 2024, at Waters Edge Events Center. Employee commitment to HCPS was celebrated during the program, which included a performance by Vocal Edge, the Edgewood High School Acapella Group. Service awards were presented to the 154 honorees marking their 10, 20, 30, and 40 year anniversaries with the school system.

Freedom has been the sole sponsor of the HCPS Service Recognition Program for the last 12 years with an annual donation used to fund a recognition dinner and provide honorees with a special gift. This year, each recognized staff member received a gift card.

Dr. Sean Bulson, Superintendent for Harford County Public Schools, stated, “Freedom Federal Credit Union has been an invaluable partner to this program for the last dozen years. Year after year, Freedom demonstrates their commitment to making our staff feel valued and honored for their dedication to our students and the Harford County community. We are incredibly grateful for their continued partnership in celebrating our staff.”

During the recognition program, Freedom’s President and CEO, Mike MacPherson, addressed the attendees, “Let’s not just recognize the number of years, but what those years represent. Let’s recognize the impact you have on our children and our community, with a lesson, a kind word, or a helping hand. Let’s recognize how you go beyond academics, lunches, bus rides, or creating an accepting environment. Let’s recognize your willingness to place the needs of others before yourselves for the greater good. Let’s recognize that while the world may change, your commitment has not.”

In addition to their annual contribution to the Employee Service Recognition Program, during this school year, Freedom also sponsored HCPS’ Teacher of the Year event, Bus Driver/Bus Attendant of the Year Luncheon, and the Maryland Superintendent of the Year Reception. Freedom also sponsored the Patriot Program at 19 elementary schools, continued their initiative to equip new elementary teachers with classroom libraries, provided financial education to students at all grade levels, sponsored several college scholarship opportunities, and afforded Harford County educators access to the Credit Union’s Golden Apple Program, including the Annual Golden Apple Educator Award.

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 or Baltimore County. Additionally, Freedom offers a full-line of banking services for all businesses, associations, and other organizations that are based in Harford or Baltimore County. Freedom has been in business since 1953 and has six locations throughout Harford and Baltimore County. To learn more, visit www.freedomfcu.org.

About Harford County Public Schools

The mission of the Harford County Public Schools is to promote excellence in instructional leadership and teaching and to provide facilities and instructional materials that support teaching and learning for the 21st century. The Harford County Board of Education will support this mission by fostering a climate for deliberate change and monitoring progress through measurable indicators.

#NationalNursesWeek2024

LET’s CELEBRATE NATIONAL NURSES week!

WIN A $25 Amazon eGIFT CARD FOR A HARFORD OR BALTIMORE COUNTY NURSE – 3 CHANCES TO WIN!

Look for our #NationalNursesWeek Nomination Post on our social media pages starting May 10th, 2024 running until 12 pm Monday, May 13th, 2024.

If you are a nurse or would like to nominate a nurses who lives or works in Harford/Baltimore County…

1. POST the nurse’s name and agency/organization in the comments on our Facebook, Twitter , or Instagram post
(Feel free to include a picture or comment with your nomination, where applicable!)

2. FOLLOW our social media page

3. SHARE our social media post

We will announce our winners on the afternoon of Monday, May 13th!

Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to get started.

Full Contest Rules / Details

*Nurses may live and/or work in Harford or Baltimore County. Nurses are welcome to enter themselves. One nomination per person, but nurses can be entered multiple time by other individuals to increase their chances of winning.

Find A Reason

There are all sorts of sayings and clichés about fighting through adversity, dealing with challenges, and the subsequent benefits that await once you come out the other side.

I know. I’ve used them. Mom used to say, “everything happens for a reason” and I would roll my eyes as kids tend to do when parents impart their particular brand of wisdom.

Depending on the situation, however, in the moment, it’s hard to find the reason. I mention this, not because there are difficulties, but to share a little message of optimism and hope as we move into spring…the season of new beginnings.

Recently, a close friend of mine passed away unexpectedly. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, “That’s optimism? Why are you bringing me down?”. I promise that’s not my intent so hang in there.

See, I was asked to give a eulogy, something I had never done, and the bizarre thing was that just a couple weeks prior, my friend was talking about how he believed there was a reason for everything. So, as I prepared my remarks, I looked for a reason for such an unfair loss.

What came to me was maybe less a reason and more a lesson on the significance of life; what we had and what remained rather than what was lost. It said to me that when grief is so deeply felt, it’s actually a testament to life and is the result of the profound impact one person can have however long or short the time may be.

In recognizing this and thinking about how one moves forward, I realized how important it is not waste the time we have together and never take for granted those we hold most dear.

“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.” However, you want to measure it, we can all be that one life that changes our world for the better.

There Must Be Manure to Life

Travel though the farmlands and you will no doubt encounter that unmistakable aroma which inevitably leads to the comment, “Was that you?” from some joker in the car.

Yes, as spring approaches, crops are planted, and flower beds prepped, there will be lots of natures’ fertilizer in use. At this time of year, I recall one of my first jobs working in the Sears Garden Center, loading bags and bags of peat moss, topsoil and yes, lovely grade A cow manure into people’s cars and trucks. Sure, there was the occasional busted bag that found its way onto, and into, my clothes…or face, but hey, I was working outside in the sunshine and the physical labor got me into probably the best shape of my life.

And that’s the thing, manure will happen, life is going to dump it on you when you least expect it and in quantities you may think you can’t carry. But remember, like the manure used in the fields to fertilize and help grow abundant crops and beautiful flowers to feed and nurture us body and soul, the kind life can dole out can also help us grow as individuals. It’s part of life that not everything is clean and neat and sweet smelling. Things can go sideways sometimes, you just have to believe in, and look for, what positives can come from them; how it will help you grow into a stronger, more beautiful being. The same is true for life at Freedom.

When the economy fluctuates, when pandemics arise, when systems falter or we as humans simply make mistakes, it’s how we react, how we learn, how we adapt and improve, that makes us stronger, keeps us moving forwarding and growing to better serve our members, each other, and our community. There are all sorts of clichés; “anything worth having is worth fighting for”, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, “everything happens for a reason”, and so on. These may have some truth to them, but they can also be meaningless in the moment.

All I can say, from experience, is giving up doesn’t work. Ignoring a problem doesn’t make it go away or resolve it. Instead, I say, take that manure, spread it on the field, and let something wonderful grow.

Be Here Now

When asked how many children he thought he had influenced, Mr. Rogers said, “I don’t care how many, even if it’s just one.

We get so wrapped up in numbers in our society. The most important thing is that we are able to be one-to-one, you and I with each other at the moment. If we can be present to the moment with the person that we happen to be with, that’s what’s important.”

I mention this because of the similarity I feel between those words and our lives at Freedom. The ability to be present in the moment applies not just with our members, but with each other.

Work gets busy, lives get chaotic, things happen unexpectedly, so it’s so important that we are aware and mindful of what is happening at this very moment.

The biggest gift we can each give ourselves is the gift of being present — engaged with life, connected with each other, listening with kindness, staying open-minded, free from judgment.