staff volunteer work

Stuffing Stockings on a Rainy Night

Staff Fill Stockings for the Empty Stocking Fund

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(L to R) Pictured are Freedom volunteers Alicia Bowman, Susan Tannahill, Julie Irby (seated), Kelly Berends, Dominique Beverly and Tabitha Becker with her sons Robby and Riley.

A group of Freedom employees and their children spent Tuesday night helping the Empty Stocking Fund pull together Christmas gifts for needy children. The Empty Stocking Fund (ESF) collects new, unwrapped toys for distribution to local children who would otherwise go without. Additionally, ESF collects food goods and monetary donations for local families in need. Collection begins several months before the holidays. Freedom has supported the ESF with collection efforts at all branches for many years now.

Pulling together the “stockings” is a fun process. In a warehouse full of collected goods, volunteers select a variety of toys, games, clothing, books, grooming supplies and other gifts appropriate for each individual child. It’s a wonderful way to spread the joy of the season.

A large collection of items that we’ve collected this year will be picked up for the Empty Stocking Fund today, replenishing the supply of goodies for distribution. Thanks to the members and staff who contributed supplies or funds to the effort!

Freedom Staff Volunteer for Fun

Volunteer Day Full of Fall Events

corn maze set upFreedom 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.

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Super Heroes with Freedom staff, from left: Crystal Rickard, Shea Murphy, Bob Wehland, Jen Davenport, Stacie Sloan, Michael MacPherson, and Mike Ostrowski.

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.