Start an IRA at 21, and Watch Your Savings Grow!

Why Start an IRA?

Say you save $100 a pay period, or $200 a month, in an IRA Share Certificate beginning when you’re 21. This account currently pays a 1.40% Annual Dividend Rate for a 60-month term.¹ With the effect of compounded dividends over time, allowing principal to grow, by the time you’re 65 years of age, you’d have $145,829 for retirement.^2,3 Add to this other investments and anticipated Social Security, and you have a nice start towards retirement!

1 $300 minimum opening deposit for all regular share and IRA certificate accounts

2 Fees could reduce earnings on the account

3 A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawal that could reduce earnings

Trunk-or-Treat Event a Big Success

Weekend Event Draws Staff Volunteers

Indirect Lending Coordinator, Dominique Beverly, enjoying this year's Trunk-or-Treat event — Indirect Lending Coordinator, Dominique Beverly, enjoying this year’s Trunk-or-Treat event

Freedom employees celebrated Halloween by participating in Mountain Christian’s Trunk-or-Treat event. The weather was perfect, and there was a fantastic turn out! They event was a HUGE hit! Staff enjoyed decorating the Freedom van, passing out candy, and taking photos with Freedom members.

Thank you to everyone who coordinated, donated candy, worked the event, or stopped by to celebrate! We received valued member feedback recognizing our continuous involvement with youth members and our local community. We love compliments!

Empty Stocking Fund 2016

Help Us Support Families in Need

Help us make the holidays brighter for families, children, and seniors in need. Once again we are supporting the Empty Stocking Fund to help our Harford County neighbors. You can help by bringing new, unwrapped toys, monetary donations, or food goods to any Freedom branch through the end of the year.

Get in the holiday spirit and make a donation to The Empty Stocking Fund this season!

Credit Union Day Winners

Five Branch Drawing Winners to Get Gift Cards

Here are the winners from those who entered our Credit Union Day sweepstakes drawing:

Fountain Green – James Wheeler, winner

Park Avenue – Jo Yasalonis, winner

Swan Creek – Geneva Johnson, winner

Edgewood – Connie Keene, winner

Forest Lakes – John Mancinelli, winner

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to help us celebrate the Credit Union Difference!

Freedom Staff Volunteer for Fun

Volunteer Day Full of Fall Events

Freedom personnel volunteered at the Harford Center on October 5. Staff helped adults with disabilities and special needs participate in fun activities at Beachmont Christian Ministries. Great fall events included ball tossing, corn hole, a picnic, hay ride, and a walk through the corn maze.

The theme of this year’s corn maze — aMAZEing Comic Super Heroes — added another element of fun to the beautiful day’s agenda. A big comic book fan, our CEO, Michael MacPherson, led the group and especially enjoyed posing with the super heroes on hand for the event.

A big push for Freedom has been “giving back” to the community. Staff are encouraged to volunteer for charitable efforts throughout Harford County. Some of this year’s other volunteer activities include assembling food forUnited Way clients, assisting riders at Normandy Farms, and demolishing a rehab house with Habitat for Humanity of the Susquehanna.

We Won — We’re Honored!

Freedom Claims the Harford Award — Retail Category

This YEAR’s Ceremony

The Chamber announced the awards Thursday, September 22. The County Council; County Executive Barry Glassman, and Congressman Andy Harris, U.S. House of Representatives, attended the ceremony at Water’s Edge Event Center. Mr. Glassman said “Your commitment to Harford County and our citizens is invaluable. We extend to you our heartfelt wishes for continued success.”

The chamber showed a video before each Award. Freedom’s showcased our growth and community outreach. Freedom President and CEO Michael MacPherson and Board Chairman Mike Kaiser accepted the award.

Harford Cable TV Network will televise the Harford Award ceremony. The event will also appear on Armstrong, Comcast and Verizon cable networks.

The Harford Awards

Winners in each of the Award’s six categories show exemplary service to the community. A local business sponsors each nominee. Local auto dealer Jones Junction sponsored our entry this year.

Other award winners include:

Entrepreneur Category — Altus Engineering
Service Category — BCS America, Bel Air Auto Auction Center
R&D/Technology/Manufacturing & Distribution Category — Chesapeake Testing
Non-Profit Category — The Kaufman Cancer Center
Hospitality/Tourism Category — Ladew Topiary Gardens

Thanks to the Harford County Chamber of Commerce for honoring us with this great award. We strive to continue the work that earned it.

Experience the Credit Union Difference

See What Makes Freedom a Special Credit Union

International Credit Union Day Pumpkin Contest — **Join us October 20, International Credit Union Day, for special activities at all five of our locations!**

Freedom Federal Credit Union has served the APG community since 1956. We continue our proud service to the military community to this day. What makes Freedom so special?

Not-for-Profit — Freedom, like all credit unions, is not-for-profit.

Member-Owned — All of our members own Freedom, not an elite group of shareholders.

People Helping People — Freedom exists to serve our members and the local community. We supported the Harford County community with more than $100,000 in sponsorships, donations and special programs in the last year. Our staff volunteers their time to meet local needs.

Democratic, Volunteer-Run—Knowledgeable volunteers make up Freedom’s Board of Directors and other committees who work with Freedom’s professional management.

Financial Education — Freedom provides free financial education to every Harford County school. We also offer online materials and Youth Club programs to help teach kids about money.

Trust — Freedom members can trust that we place their needs first.

Visit our branch at the Edgewood Area of APG, or any of our four other Harford County locations.

Isn’t it time you belonged to something special? Join Freedom now!

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/.