Freedom Federal Credit Union Supports Harford County Public Schools with $35,000 Sponsorship

0
HCPS Superintendent, Dr. Sean Bulson, Freedom Federal Credit Union’s President and CEO, Mike MacPherson, and Freedom’s Business Development Director, Patrice Ricciardi, congratulate thirty-year honoree, Teacher Specialist, Amy Riley (Left). Photo Credit: Freedom Federal Credit Union

Freedom Federal Credit Union provided $35,000 to Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) in support of their Annual Employee Service Recognition Program.  This program recognized 635 employees who have reached 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 years of service.  The program includes a recognition dinner, which took place on May 8th at the Water’s Edge Events Center.  The occasion celebrated the 348 employees who have reached 10, 20, 30, or 40 years with the school system.  Their commitment to HCPS was celebrated during the dinner and service awards were presented to the honorees.

Since 2013, Freedom has sponsored the HCPS Service Award Recognition Program, with the annual sponsorship used to provide honorees with a special gift of their choice. This year, the recognition dinner was slated to be cancelled as a result of HCPS budget constraints.  Instead, Freedom increased their sponsorship to include the cost of the entire celebration.

Ms. Jean Mantegna, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources of HCPS, stated, “As a true gesture of their commitment to the school system, Freedom Federal Credit Union stepped up to ensure that our dedicated staff continued to have an evening where they were recognized and celebrated for their years of commitment to our students.”   

During the recognition dinner, Freedom’s President and CEO, Mike MacPherson, addressed the audience: “Let’s not just recognize the number of years or the job you have.  Let’s recognize the help you give, the affect you have on our children with a lesson, a kind word, or a helping hand.  Let’s recognize how you go beyond academics, lunches, transportation, or creating an accepting environment.  Let’s recognize your willingness to place the needs of others before yourselves for a greater good.  Let’s recognize that while the world has changed, your dedication has not.” 

Among the 348 honorees recognized at the May 8th event for their milestone years of service, was Teacher Specialist in Elementary Science, Amy Ryan, who first spent 18 years teaching the 5th grade at Homestead-Wakefield and Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary Schools, before shifting her focus to providing professional development and curriculum for the betterment of elementary science instruction across the school system.  Ms. Ryan was one of 32 employees being honored for 30 years of service to HCPS.  When asked about the recognition dinner, Ms. Ryan responded, “This was an incredible way to honor the Harford County Public School employees who have dedicated so many years of service to the best school system in the state. The dinner, the program, and the gifts were amazingly generous and made all of the honorees feel valued and appreciated.  We are all very thankful for the community partnership and the support that we receive from Freedom Federal Credit Union not only tonight, but each and every day, all year long.”

In addition to their annual contribution to the Service Recognition Program, Freedom also sponsors the Patriot Program in 29 elementary schools, funds two Growing Exceptional Teachers (GET) Scholarships valued at $8,000 total, provides financial education to students at all grade levels and offers HCPS staff access to the Credit Union’s Golden Apple Program, including the Annual Golden Apple Educator Award.

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 County.  Additionally, Freedom offers a full-line of banking services for all businesses, associations, and other organizations that are based in Harford County.  Freedom has been in business since 1953 and has five locations throughout Harford County. To learn more, visit freedomfcu.org

About Harford County Public Schools

The mission of the Harford County Public Schools is to promote excellence in instructional leadership and teaching and to provide facilities and instructional materials that support teaching and learning for the 21st century. The Harford County Board of Education will support this mission by fostering a climate for deliberate change and monitoring progress through measurable indicators.  

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.