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News, events, and promotions from Freedom Federal Credit Union

Summer of Freedom FCU

#SummerofFreedomFCU

It’s the #SummerofFreedomFCU

Photo Contest!

Freedom Federal Credit Union has announced the return of the #SummerofFreedomFCU photo contest. The social media contest, now in its third year, calls for participants to incorporate Freedom-branded sunglasses into their summer adventures and post the pictures on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using the publicly searchable hashtag, #SummerofFreedomFCU.

The six-week contest will accept submissions until August 11th. Every Friday, during the contest period, Freedom will post weekly finalists on their facebook page and ask the public to vote on a winner by “liking” or “loving” their photo of choice.  This year, participants will compete for a chance to win the $1,000 grand prize among other weekly incentives.   The free sunglasses are available throughout the summer at all six Freedom Federal Credit Union branches in Harford and Baltimore County.

This year, the contest features a 15 vote bonus towards the grand prize for 12 or more entries and encourages participants to submit collages of their summer adventures.  The 24-hour grand prize vote is scheduled for August 16th, 2022.  Complete contest details are available at www.freedomfcu.org/summeroffreedom/.

Free Sunglasses while Supplies Last

  1. Take a fun, creative picture with your Freedom sunglasses
  2. Pick your preferred social channel
  3. Like or Follow Freedom’s page
  4. Post the picture using #SummerofFreedomFCU
  5. Check Facebook every Friday for weekly votes & winner announcements!

 

 

 

 

I know I don’t know

Long ago I reconciled with myself the fact that I don’t know everything.  When we’re younger a lot of us believe we do, but at some point reality comes crashing in and the light of truth shines right in your face.

That’s ok. 

Conversely, there is a lot I do know and what I know, I know well.  And that’s ok.  I know you know a lot and you know some things that I don’t know.  And that’s ok too.  Then there are times when nobody knows anything and we’re all looking around at each other trying to figure things out.  And ya know what?  That’s ok too, because we all know stuff, we’ve all had different experiences that created that knowledge, and that means we can all help one another at some point.

We can all be patient with one another as we learn, exchange ideas, think things through and work together on a common goal or purpose.  They say knowledge is power and while that may be true, I think the sharing of whatever knowledge we have or can gain is the real power.

That’s why I talk about teamwork so much.  That’s why I talk about collaboration and ideas coming from everywhere and anyone.  The free flow of ideas, the exchange of varying opinions, the sharing of experiences all create a stronger bond and greater success.  Finally, I also know that knowing doesn’t mean being right.  We may know something and learn what we know wasn’t correct or that our idea isn’t the best one at a given moment.  That does not mean the input was unimportant.  Even in those instances, there is knowledge to be gained and cultivated.

How Do We Thrive?

You may wonder why we are so committed to our philanthropic endeavors.  Why we focus on outreach and the good we can do for our members and in the community.  Why our strategic focus is about experience and doing what’s right.  Why our goals are set to generate the financial stability and income necessary to support our philosophy of people helping people.  Well, I was recently watching a program on Netflix called, David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet.  In it was a quote I found quite poignant and an applicable answer to those very questions.

“A species can only thrive when everything else around it thrives too. We can solve the problems we now face by embracing this reality.  If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us. It’s now time for our species to stop simply growing, to establish a life on our planet in balance with nature.  To start to thrive.” – Sir David Attenborough

Change a few words and…

We can only thrive when everyone else around us thrives too. We can solve the problems we now face by embracing this reality.  If we take care of others, others will take care of us. It’s now time for us to stop simply growing, to be something bigger not just something big, to establish a balance with our community and start to thrive.

What Seems Unimportant

I made the most important mistake at the most unimportant time.  That was the phrase I uttered in a dream a few weeks ago.  I was apologizing for something and said, “I’m sorry I made the most important mistake at the most unimportant time.”  It’s a phrase I have not been able to shake.  I kept thinking about it over and over trying to gain some insight as to what it might mean.  I think I figured it out.

There are no unimportant times and there are no unimportant actions.  Everything we say and do matters, on some level, in every moment.  Even if it seems a trivial or mundane act, even the simplest thing, can have a major impact.  What I think my subconscious mind was trying to tell me is that you can’t take anything for granted; a smile at a passerby, the door you don’t hold, the stranger you help, the person you judge, you never know what that will mean or do to someone else.  We all have a responsibility to think about the messages we send, the values we convey and the world we help influence because too many today place personal desire or want above the greater good.

I know nobody’s perfect.  We just need to remember that actions/words have consequences and, even when you think something is unimportant, it could be the most important mistake you make.

Benjamin Franklin offered a poetic perspective:

For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
For want of a shoe the horse was lost,
For want of a horse the rider was lost,
For want of a rider the battle was lost,
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost,
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Golden Apple Educator Award 2022

Now Accepting Entries for the 2022 Golden Apple Annual Educator Awards

Golden Apple Educator Awards

We are now accepting entries for this year’s Golden Apple Educator Award! Entrants must be a Freedom Member* and an employee at a Harford or Baltimore County school (public or private).

 

 

1. TWO First Place – $2,000 Awards
2. TWO Second Place – $1,000 Awards
3. TWO First Runner-Up – $500 Awards
4. TWO Second Runner-Up $500 Awards

To enter, submit an entry form and essay. The essay must describe how you would use the funds and why you should be the one to win! Scoring favors proposals demonstrating the greatest impact on local schools, classes, students, and/or the community at large.

Freedom Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce, we have DOUBLED the AWARDS and are now offering 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.

Scoring favors the idea with the greatest impact on local students, classes, schools, and/or the local community.

To enter, complete the entry form and submit an essay that explains why you deserve the award. Your essay may address any or all of the following questions:

  1. What is your plan to benefit your students, your class or your school? How will this money help you implement your plan?
  2. Will you take a continuing education class or classes to improve your own education and expertise? (Please be specific.) How will your education improve your students’ learning?
  3. Will you purchase supplies for your school or classroom? How will the supplies help improve student learning? (Please provide as many quantitative details as possible.)
  4. Will your plan, training, or purchases affect the Harford County Community? If yes, how so?

Please submit your Golden Apple – 2022 Educator Award Entry Form and essay to [email protected] by May 30, 2022.

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of Freedom employees, volunteers and community partners.

  • Entry deadline is May 30, 2022 (NEW EXTENDED DEADLINE!)
  • Submit by email to [email protected]
  • We will announce the winner by June 17, 2022

LEARN ABOUT THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS OFFERED TO HARFORD AND BALTIMORE COUNTY EDUCATORS- EXPLORE THE REST OF THE GOLDEN APPLE PROGRAM!

 

*New members are also welcome to apply!

Branch Closings

2022 Branch Closings Schedule

Freedom will be closing in observance of the following 2022 holidays. Please take advantage of our digital services when branch closings are in effect.

New Year’s Day 2021 – Saturday, January 1, 2022

Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Monday, January 17, 2022

President’s Day – Monday, February 21, 2022

Memorial Day – Monday, May 30, 2022

Juneteenth – Monday, June 20, 2022

Independence Day – Monday, July 4, 2022

Labor Day – Monday, September 5, 2022

Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples Day) – Monday, October 10, 2022

Veterans Day – Friday, November 11, 2022

Thanksgiving – Thursday, November 24, 2022

Christmas – Monday, December 26, 2022

2023
New Year’s Day 2023—Monday, January 2, 2023

 

*Some dates may be added in 2022  to recognize and reward the dedication of our essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Best of Harford County

Vote Freedom for Best Credit Union in Harford County!

vote for Freedom as the best Bank/Credit Union in Harford County!

VOTE HERE!

Here at Freedom we appreciate and value all our members and local partners. We are a community-chartered credit union offering financial services to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, attend school, or have family in Harford County.  Freedom has been in business since 1953 and has six locations throughout Harford and Baltimore County.

If you’re happy with your experience at Freedom, we need your vote to win best Bank/Credit Union in the Harford’s Best Readers Poll. With your help, we would like to be voted Harford’s Best Credit Union in 2021!  

Votes are being collected now until 5pm on December 5th. Please click on the link to easily vote or select Freedom Federal Credit Union in the Personal Services Category, Best Bank/Credit Union!

YOU CAN VOTE EVERYDAY!

VOTE HERE!

 

 

Shred Day Coming Nov 13

 

Freedom's Community Shred Day Honeygo Branch November 13
Dispose of your sensitive documents safely and securely at our Honeygo branch on November 13 from 9A -12P
Stop by Freedom’s Honeygo Branch on November 13th, for our community Shred Day event!

Bring up to four boxes of sensitive documents and let us safely destroy them for you. The shred truck will be available from 9 am to Noon or until it has reached capacity.

Special New Member Incentives will be available on site.

Your financial wellness starts with securing your personal information. We are here to help keep your information safe.

When: Saturday, November 13 from 9 AM – Noon (Or Until Truck is full)
Where: 5000 Honeygo Center Dr. Perry Hall, MD 21128

This event is open to the community.

Maximum number of bags/boxes to shred = 4