Freedom Federal Credit Union recently partnered with Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) in support of the HCPS Annual Employee Service Recognition. This program recognized 567 employees who reached 5, 10, 20, and 30 years of service in the 2021 school year. The program included a virtual recognition which took place on May 5, 2021. Employee commitment to HCPS was celebrated during the virtual program and service awards were presented to the 327 honorees marking their 10, 20, and 30 year anniversaries with the school system.
Since 2013, Freedom has sponsored the HCPS Service Recognition Program, with an annual $40,000 sponsorship used to provide honorees with a special gift of their choice. Last year, the recognition dinner was cancelled due to the pandemic. Instead, Freedom donated six thousand custom facemasks for all school employees, and further equipped HCPS buildings with contactless thermometers. This year, both the school system and Freedom agreed it was important to find a way to host the recognition event, and were excited to do so in a virtual format.
Ben Richardson, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources of HCPS, stated, “Freedom Federal Credit Union continues to be a valued community partner. They have once again illustrated their dedication to ensure that our staff feels appreciated and celebrated for their years of commitment to our students and the Harford County community.”
During the recognition program, Freedom’s President and CEO, Mike MacPherson, addressed the audience, noting, “All of these milestones are tremendous accomplishments. Each comes with stories to share, successes to celebrate, and memories to cherish. Even with all that, perhaps no feat is as impressive as what you accomplished this past year and continue to accomplish in this ‘new environment’. It’s truly inspiring.”
Among the 567 honorees recognized for their milestone years of service, was Joseph Collins, principal at Harford Technical High School. Principal Collins was one of 46 staff members being honored for 30 years of service to HCPS. Principal Collins has served in many roles over the years, beginning his tenure with HCPS as a social studies teacher before shifting his focus to administration. Since then, he has served as assistant principal at several Harford County public schools, before becoming principal at Harford Tech four years ago. When asked about the recognition program, Principal Collins responded, “Freedom is a great partner. They do a tremendous job supporting our staff and school communities. Thank you for the support and recognition of every HCPS employee.”
In addition to their annual contribution to the Employee Service Recognition Program, Freedom also sponsors the Patriot Program in 29 elementary schools, provides financial education to students at all grade levels, sponsors several college scholarship opportunities, and offers Harford County educators access to the Credit Union’s Golden Apple Program, including the Annual Golden Apple Educator Award.
A recording of the Employee Service Recognition Program is available to be viewed on HCPS’ YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/OPjOw570uJc.
