HUNT VALLEY SPOTLIGHT:

A “MINDFUL MOMENT” ABOUT FIRST FINANCIAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

By TEAM BCPS

THE 'WHY' BEHIND THE SUPPORT

Have you ever wondered why a person or organization decides to get involved? The Education Foundation has been asking those who support it for their reasons why. In a series of “Mindful Moments,” the foundation will share its supporters’ answers.

In September, the foundation’s Board of Directors recognized First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) for its ongoing support as an exemplary Education Champion. Stephanie Peltzer, FFFCU vice-president and chief marketing officer, shared the following response as to why FFFCU gives its time, talent, and treasures to the foundation:

“First Financial Federal Credit Union’s ‘why’ is really very simple. There is no organization more important to First Financial than Baltimore County Public Schools. First Financial was created by and for Baltimore County school employees. Our partnership with the foundation represents true mission alignment in our efforts to provide the resources and tools to students, educators, and schools that foster success. 

Through programming, initiatives, and events such as the Teacher of the Year celebrations, Giving Tuesday, support of the Exchangerees, and our Putting Students First Grant Program, we are proud to help bring the vision of the foundation to life. Our work with the foundation supports First Financial’s belief in doing more than what is expected, we believe in doing what matters. The work done each and every day by those in the foundation and in Baltimore County Public Schools matters, and makes us a better, stronger community.”

“There is no organization more important to First Financial than Baltimore County Public Schools. . . Our partnership with the foundation represents true mission alignment in our efforts to provide the resources and tools to students, educators, and schools that foster success.”- Stephanie Peltzer, FFFCU vice-president and chief marketing officer

Tools for School Campaign: Cindy Jones, 1st Vice-President, EDFoundation, and Jocelyn Strand, FFFCU

Celebrating 2022 School Resource Officers of the Year: Officer Kameia Dukes, 2022 SRO of the Year Middle School, Woodlawn Middle School, Cindy Jones, 1st Vice-President EDFdn, Deborah Phelps, Executive Director EDFdn, and Jocelyn Strand, FFFCU

Stocking the shelves: Joan Pugh, chair, the Exchangeree: Gizmos & Gadgets Galore| Windsor Mill

FFFCU PARTICIPATION AND INVOLVEMENT IMPACT

Knowing and understanding the needs of BCPS students and educators, FFFCU has participated in multiple campaigns including Tools for Schools, Share the Warmth, and Books for Bins (stocking the Foundation’s two collaborative educator resource centers, the Exchangeree: Gizmos & Gadgets Galore. To celebrate and recognize BCPS professionals, FFFCU has joined the foundation’s Caravan of Gratitude by providing gift baskets and accolades to honorees at the Teacher of the Year Ceremony, School Resource Officer of the Year celebrations, BCPS Administrative and Supervisory Meeting, and BCPS New Educators Orientation.

To support classroom educators, FFFCU launched a Putting Students First Grant Program. To directly support students, FFFCU sponsors the BCPS Black History Month Writing Contest and awards annual post-secondary scholarship opportunities. To support Giving Tuesday and Amazon Smile, FFFCU launched an innovative fundraiser called Like for a Cause Program and have sponsored Education Foundation fundraising events such as State of the School, Tee Off for TEAM BCPS Golf Classic, and Let’s Play Ball!

Share the Warmth Campaign: Cindy Jones, 1st Vice-President, Deborah Phelps, Executive Director and Joan Pugh, Chair, the Exchangeree: Gizmos & Galore Gadgets

FFFCU sharing their WHY : Supt. Dr. Darryl L. Williams, Deborah Phelps, Executive Director and Mick Rayburn, President, EDFoundation, and Stephanie Peltzer, Vice-President/Chief Marketing Officer, FFFCU

Celebrating 2022 BCPS Teacher of the Year: Alicia Amaral Freeman, 2022 BCPS Teacher of the Year recipient and 2022 Maryland Teacher of the Year Finalist with Stephanie, Peltzer, Vice-President/Chief Marketing Officer, FFFCU

BCPS New Educator Orientation: Cindy Jones, first vice-president, EDFoundation, and a new BCPS educator

The Education Foundation acknowledges First Financial Federal Credit Union professionals for their executive “leadership” committee and board participation. Cindy Jones, FFFCU youth manager, serves as the foundation’s first vice-president and was the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Board Member of the Year. Joan Pugh, FFFCU relationship marketing manager III, is the chair of the Exchangeree: Gizmos and Gadgets Galore, Windsor Mill. FFFCU has been received the following awards and honors: 2022 Honor Roll Member of the Greenwood Society Legacy Leaders; 2021 Volunteer of the Year Community Partners | Eric Church, President/CEO; and 2020 Volunteer of the Year Community Partners | Eric Church, President/CEO.

Thank you, FFFCU, for selecting The Education Foundation of BCPS as your cause.

Tools for Schools impacts the Exchangeree: Gizmos & Gadgets Galore | Rosedale/ Golden Ring

The Exchangeree| Rosedale/Golden Ring: Joseph Atkinson, FFFCU, Linda Alpin, RGR volunteer coordinator, Macie Burnham, CTE Intern, Chesapeake HS, & Deborah Phelps, Ed Fdn

BCPS new educator with Joan Pugh, chair, the Exchangeree: Gizmos & Gadgets Galore | Windsor Mill

On the BCPS welcome bus with community partners at the BCPS New Educator Orientation

THE FFFCU JOURNEY

FFFCU’s story began in 1953 when a group of public school teachers recognized the need for better financial options for educators. With their ingenuity and a simple $5 in a cigar box, TABCO Federal Credit Union (now First Financial) was formed. What started as a common desire to help each other borrow and save, and to make a positive difference in the community, FFFCU has grown due to its unrelenting focus on improving the lives of its members.

Originally created to serve BCPS employees, FFFCU has grown to serve the employees, students, and families of Baltimore County and Carroll County public school systems, as well as the employees and families of many private schools, colleges, hospitals, and businesses in Baltimore and surrounding counties.

First Financial strives to offer the very best financial products and services to meet the diverse needs of its members.

© 2022 TEAM BCPS

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