Freedom’s Edgewood Branch Hosts Bike to Work Day Event

Support Includes Jersey Sponsorship, More

Bike riders cycling into the parking lot at Freedom's APG Edgewood-Area Branch. — **Cyclists returning to the Branch parking lot after the morning’s ride.**

On May 23 the parking lot of Freedom’s Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) Edgewood-Area Branch welcomed Bike to Work Day enthusiasts. Bikers assembled at 7:00 am for a 7-mile ride. Riders then made their way back to the Branch for food and “door” prizes donated by local merchants. All riders received a Bike-to-Work t-shirt and a Freedom goody bag. Giveaways from Harford Commute Smart and other local Bike-to-Work event sponsors were also available.

Cycling at APG-South

Bike to Work teams at Aberdeen Proving Ground Edgewood-Area ride together on a regular basis, including lunch-time and weekend rides. The rides provide recreation, exercise, and a way to connect with co-workers.

Team CBRNE (Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive) is comprised of several commands at Aberdeen Proving Ground Edgewood-Area. This year the Team once again won the prize for most participants in the Edgewood-Area ride. The Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center in particular was well-represented, with several members on the CBRNE team.

Harford County itself was also well-represented at this year’s Bike-to-Work festivities. Events were held in Havre de Grace; Aberdeen Proving Ground North; Bel Air and Aberdeen Proving Ground Edgewood-Area. Alan Doran, Harford County Commute Smart Rideshare Coordinator spoke at the event. He noted that in the Baltimore-Washington area, Harford County was second only to Baltimore City in number of Bike-to-Work participants.

This is the third year Freedom Federal Credit Union’s Edgewood-Area branch has hosted the Bike-to-Work event. For the last two years we have supported team CNRNE’s riding jerseys. These eye-catching jerseys feature the Freedom logo on their back. This year’s jersey’s also featured the Edgewood Arsenal logo — a nod to this year’s 100th Anniversary of the Arsenal, now know as Aberdeen Proving Ground.

**Team CBRNE wore Freedom-sponsored jerseys**

Sue Manning, a representative of Team CBRNE, and Alan Doran — **From L to R, Freedom Business Development Specialist Sue Manning, a representative of Team CBRNE, Alan Doran, Harford County Commute Smart Rideshare Coordinator**

Military Appreciation in Action

Freedom Sponsors 2017 Military Appreciation Luncheon

Sue Manning and Bill Suchting, co-chairs of the Military Affairs Committee of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce — **Sue Manning, Business Development Representative, and Bill Suchting, Army Colonel, retired, co-chaired this year’s Military Affairs Committee of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce.**

Freedom was the premier sponsor of the 40^th annual Military Appreciation Luncheon, conducted by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce at Richlin Ballroon on May 18. Several Freedom staffers had the honor of attending the event.

Sue Manning, a Freedom Business Development Specialist, served as co-chairperson of the Military Affairs Committee of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce. Sue’s co-chair, Bill Suchting, a retired Army Colonel, was the recipient of the Appel Award announced at this year’s luncheon.

**(L to R): Sue Manning, Stacey Sloan, Michele Young, Bob Wehland, Keith Gill, Julie Irby, Chris Eliopoulos, Patrice Ricciardi, and Mike Dilworth.**

We’ve Got a Winner!

Freedom Member Wins Scholarship

Rachel Amrhein and Mike MacPherson — **Rachel Amrhein (L) is presented a check for $1,000 from Mike MacPherson (R), Freedom President and CEO**

Freedom member Rachel Amrhein’s essay on Credit Unions has earned her a $1,000 scholarship from the Maryland/DC Credit Union Foundation. Ms. Amrhein, who lives in Bel Air, is a a graduate of the John Carroll School and a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Each year the Maryland/DC Credit Union Foundation awards twelve, $1,000-scholarships to eligible Credit Union members throughout Maryland and D.C. This year thirteen Freedom members entered an essay, video or photo in the competition.

2017’s essay topic was: “As a credit union member, explain why someone should choose a credit union as their primary financial institution over alternative service providers, such as for-profit banks.”

Highlights of this year’s competition —

College-bound credit union members submitted a total of 328 essays
Another 58 photo entries were received
Twelve video applications were entered
Entries were scored by 104 volunteer judges
Judges recorded over 6,300 scores
Members from 57 MD & DC-based credit unions applied

Youth Day Guessing Game Winners

Guessing Game Winners Cash in Coin Jars

The results are in for our Youth Month guessing game! During Youth Month each branch had a large jar with coins in it. The task was to guess the total dollar amount in the jar. Only Youth Club members were eligible to enter a guess. Now the winner from each branch is cashing in — A Mason jar full of coins! — and depositing into their accounts using our new coin counting machine at the Forest Lakes Branch!

Now all Freedom members can bring their coins to be counted and cashed out or deposited for free!

Some of our Winners:

Winners of the Youth Month 2017 coin guessing game. — **Coin Guessing Game winners, L to R, Ivy U., Taylor H. and Adrian W.**

Golf Tournament Sponsorship

Freedom Provides Golf Tournament Sponsorship for Jones Junction Event

Freedom was a sponsor of the Jones Junction’s Golf Tournament which took place on May 7, 2017. The event, held at the Wetlands Golf Club in Aberdeen, was part of the dealership’s 100 Years celebration. This is the second year that Jones has held a golf tournament, and one of numerous times Freedom has provided golf tournament sponsorship. Freedom indirect lending staff were on hand for the event.

Dominique Beverly, Freedom's Indirect Lending Coordinator at the Jones Junction golf event on May 7, 2017 — Dominique Beverly, Freedom’s Indirect Lending Coordinator at the Jones Junction golf event on May 7, 2017

Bike to Work 2017!

Freedom Again Hosting Bike to Work Day at Our APG South Location

Bike to Work Day at Aberdeen Proving Ground South (Edgewood Area) is May 23, 2017! We are once again hosting the event in the parking lot of our APG South branch on Hoadley Road. Join us there and get a free Freedom goody!

To register for Bike to Work Day, go to https://b2wd2017.eventbrite.com/. For more information, call 1-800-924-8646 or go to rideshare@harfordcountymd.gov

Freedom Staff Make Gas Mask Dash

Dash Part of U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground’s 100th Anniversary!

Freedom’s Edgewood base is located at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground Edgewood area. So it was a short drive for staff to take part in an Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) 100th Anniversary Celebration event — the Gas Mask Dash!

The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) sponsored the Dash, which was open to the public. Participants could either run a 5k or walk 2 miles. The glorious weather on April 27 made taking part a pleasure!

Freedom was on site to provide Freedom backpacks to attendees, and to provide information and support!

Participants were also treated to a bit of gas mask history, with a display of masks over the years. Even a Navy goggle mask and a K9 mask were there for viewing.

What a wonderful way to celebrate 100 years!

Going Green in Bel Air

Freedom Staff Contribute to Arbor Day Efforts

Freedom staff at Department of Natural Resources tree planting event, Arbor Day 2017 — **From L to R, Rachel Schmidt, Holly Downey, Susan Tannahill, Michele Young, Sharon Mellor, and Mike MacPherson**

Freedom staff pitched in this Arbor Day, planting trees as part of our continuing effort to better our community. The Department of Natural Resources Arbor Day event allowed us to help plant the trees and shrubs that earned Bel Air the “Tree City” designation.

Two hundred of the trees planted on April 14 were donated by Freedom as a result of our “go green” electronic statement campaign of 2016. We donated trees to the DNR on behalf of those members who eliminated paper waste by going electronic. Rather than plant many saplings, we decided to plant fewer, larger trees to increase the odds that they survive and thrive.