The Best Day Is Today

August 27, 2021

A couple things got me thinking recently. First, here we are already closing in on the end of summer; that got me thinking about how time flies and its effect on waiting. Then, as we’ve planned our expansion and questioned why we are, or should we be, doing so in the current climate; that too got me thinking and what waiting would have meant. The results of my pondering led me to the following poem:

(with thanks to Andrew Pratt)

Barely the day started and… it’s already six in the evening.
Barely arrived on Monday and it’s already Friday…
… and the month is already over.
… and the year is almost over.
… and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed.
… and we realize that we lost our parents, friends.
… and we realize it’s too late to go back.
So… Let’s try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time.
Let’s keep looking for activities that we like.
Let’s put some color in our grey.
Let’s smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts.
And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left.
Let’s try to eliminate the afters…
… I’m doing it after…
… I’ll say after…
… I’ll think about it after.
We leave everything for later like “after” is ours.
Because what we don’t understand is that…
… afterwards, the coffee gets cold…
… afterwards, priorities change…
… afterwards, the charm is broken…
… afterwards, health passes…
… afterwards, the kids grow up…
… afterwards parents get old…
… afterwards, promises are forgotten…
… afterwards, the day becomes the night…
… afterwards life ends…
And then it’s often too late.
So, let’s leave nothing for later,
Because still waiting to see you later, we can lose the best moments,
the best experiences,
best friends,
the best family.
The day is today… The moment is now…

Mike

Freedom Opens New Branch in Perry Hall

The New Location in Honeygo Village Center Officially Opened on August 21

Freedom Federal Credit Union opened a new full-service branch in the Perry Hall/White Marsh area on Saturday, August 21. The Credit Union marked the occasion with a community-wide grand opening celebration. The event was held at its new location, 5000 Honeygo Center Drive in the Honeygo Village Center, and featured music, food, games, and giveaways. This is the Credit Union’s first branch in Baltimore County, and sixth branch in Northeastern Maryland.

The branch features a full-service lobby, two drive-thru lanes, a 24/7 ATM, a free coin machine, provides ample parking, and allows for easy traffic flow and access. Financial Service Representatives are in-person, and onsite, to support all business and individual banking needs.

Earlier that week, Freedom held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, where their Leadership Team gathered with the Board of Directors, employees, local and state officials, representatives from Harford and Baltimore County Public Schools, and members of the MD|DC Credit Union Association to celebrate the Credit Union’s expansion.

Attendees heard from Freedom’s President and CEO, Mike MacPherson, along with remarks from Lynn Richardson, President of the Perry Hall/White Marsh Business Association and Councilman David Marks, 5^th District, Baltimore City Council, and Delegate Carl Jackson, District 8, House of Delegates.

“The opening of this new branch here in Honeygo Village Center is part of our commitment to grow our organization, and, as a result, to expand the many ways we have to serve this community, and our membership as a whole, as best we can,” stated Macpherson to the crowd. “We will grow, not to have the biggest bottom line but to be able to offer our members a quality financial experience with their best interests always top of mind.”

John Bratsakis, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Maryland and DC Credit Union Association, was also in attendance and shared some remarks on how the Credit Union Difference, and Freedom, will have a positive impact on consumers and businesses in the Perry Hall and White Marsh Community.

As a symbol of Freedom’s commitment to improving the Baltimore County community, MacPherson presented a donation on behalf of the Credit Union to The Education Foundation of Baltimore County’s Executive Director, Deborah Phelps.

Freedom Federal Credit Union was founded in 1953 as MATCOM Federal Credit Union. The Credit Union started in Baltimore and later moved to Harford County in support of the Edgewood Arsenal, which became part of Aberdeen Proving Ground. Freedom received their Harford County community charter in 1999 and changed their name to Freedom of Maryland Federal Credit Union in 2000. In 2020, Freedom’s charter was expanded to also serve those who live, work, worship, volunteer, or have family in Baltimore County.

Freedom to Host Grand Opening Celebration Saturday August 21

Freedom Federal Credit Union will be opening a new full-service branch in the Perry Hall/White Marsh area on Saturday, August 21. The Credit Union will mark the occasion with a community-wide grand opening celebration. This is the Credit Union’s first branch in Baltimore County, and sixth branch within Northeastern Maryland. The new branch will be located at 5000 Honeygo Center Drive in the Honeygo Village Center, adjacent to Weis Markets, and across from AnyTime Fitness, and Liberatore’s Ristorante.

The branch will feature a full-service lobby, two drive-thru lanes, a 24/7 ATM, a free coin machine, and will provide ample parking and easy traffic flow and access. Financial Service Representatives will be in-person, and onsite, to support all business and individual banking needs.

Freedom is pleased to announce the appointment of Marcus Johnson, as the location’s Branch Manager. Johnson has been a Freedom team member for almost ten years, most recently serving as Branch Manager at the Swan Creek location in Havre de Grace since 2017. Johnson has earned a reputation for his warm welcomes and reliable expertise.

Johnson is looking forward to this next chapter and becoming deeply involved in the Perry Hall/White March community. He brings with him from the existing Freedom team, Senior Financial Services Representative, Alexis Wyatt, who was previously a Senior Financial Services Representative at the Swan Creek Branch.

Local community members are encouraged to join the Credit Union on Saturday August 21^st, to learn more about Freedom, take advantage of special in-person only offers, and to celebrate the new branch opening. The grand opening celebration will feature music, food, giveaways, and family-friendly fun.