Donations

Breathe 379 Wins Freedom Federal Credit Union’s #FreedomToHelpChallenge

Credit Union Awards $1,000 to Small Local Non-Profit to Support their Hope Center

Breathe 379 awarded $1000

Bel Air, MD – Freedom Federal Credit Union is pleased to congratulate Mike Nolan, Founder, Executive Director, and volunteer for Breathe 379, for winning the 3rd annual #FreedomToHelpChallenge.   The six-week social media contest called for entrants to post pictures celebrating Harford or Baltimore County volunteerism for a chance to win $1,000 and other weekly prizes for their local charity of choice.  Each week individual volunteers and non-profit organizations posted pictures showcasing local volunteerism in an effort that reached all corners of the two counties.  Weekly winners and the Grand Award winner were chosen during public voting periods on Freedom’s Facebook page.

“I have to be honest, I’m completely blown away by it.  I wasn’t even going to enter thinking we didn’t have a chance to win, but on a whim, I posted a submission of our amazing volunteers, and our supporters took it from there.  We are so grateful for the Freedom To Help Challenge, for giving us the opportunity to showcase and thank our volunteers, and for everything Freedom has done for us in the wake of winning, not just in donations, but with publicity for our cause,” stated Mike Nolan.  “This award will now allow even more members of our community and beyond to be served by Breathe’s Hope Center! Thank you, Freedom Federal Credit Union, for helping us help others!”

Officially founded in 2016, Breathe 379 is based in the simple notion of helping others, whatever the need.  Breathe’s Hope Center, based in Edgewood, Maryland, looks quite different from most food and clothing pantries, providing a relaxing environment and complimentary coffee bar to help ease stress and offer the hope that is very much needed in everyone’s life from time to time.  The organization is probably best known for their B379 Toy Drive, which distributes thousands of toys to local Harford County children in need during the holidays.

Mike Nolan and volunteers Nick Nizer, Vice President and Manager of the Well at Breathe, Bailey Alampi, Manager of Bailey Sue’s Country Market at Breathe, and Cheryl Andrews, Manager of The Cabin at Breathe, were all recently honored in a check presentation held at Breathe’s Hope Center with the $1,000 grand award.  The Hope Center is located at 2124 Nuttal Ave. in Edgewood, Maryland and is open each Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and the second Saturday of every month from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m. Learn more at breathe379.com.

 

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 five locations throughout Harford County. To learn more, visit www.freedomfcu.org

Gift Helps Expectant Mothers

Maternal Fetal Medicine Machine Helps Expectant Mothers

Dr. Anadir Silva, the Physician Lead for Maternal Fetal Medicine Center at MedStar Health in Bel Air, explains how the special fetal medicine chair works to benefit patients and their babies.Freedom recently funded a piece of state-of the-art equipment for MedStar Health’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Center (MFM) in Bel Air. The new Maternal Fetal Machine and its viewing monitor helps expectant mothers at risk. The gift also helps us show our support of women in Harford County! In September, MedStar Health held a ceremony to celebrate the gift.

Maternal Fetal Medicine Center physicians are high-risk pregnancy experts. MFM physicians work with other specialist to keep women healthy as their bodies change and their babies grow. The Center addresses chronic health issues and helps women with unexpected problems like bleeding, high blood pressure, or early labor.

The Maternal Fetal Medicine Center’s Lead is Dr. Anadir Silva. Dr. Silva credits Freedom with providing better patient care by paying for the Maternal Fetal Machine. The equipment greatly enhances patients’ experience and comfort. The large-screen monitor allows family members who are with the expectant mother to see fetal images.

Freedom’s CEO, Mike MacPherson, attended the equipment dedication. Representing MedStar were Dr. Silva, Karol Edwards, Regional Director of MedStar’s Ambulatory Services, and Linda Hawes, MedStar Bel Air’s Manager of Operations.

Mr. MacPherson said, “In my position there are very few ‘no brainers’ that you can make a call on. So, when I heard about this opportunity and the necessity for this particular chair and what it represents for soon-to-be moms, we had to support it. It’s really important that we serve the community, not just as a credit union and financial institution, but as a community partner.”