Connery receives $10,000 in fifth contest
The award was presented at the Wawa Welcome America Festival in Philadelphia on July 4th.
BOCA RATON, Fla., July 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Freedom Mortgage, the largest full-service independent mortgage company in the nation and a leading Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Federal Housing Administration (FHA) (government-guaranteed) lender, has named Naomi Connelly of Dover, New Hampshire, this year's recipient of the company's Celebrate Freedom Award. Connelly was formally honored on July 4 at the Wawa Welcome America Festival in Philadelphia, followed by a Celebration of Freedom ceremony in front of Independence Hall. Connelly received a check for $10,000 from Freedom Mortgage, a Celebrate Freedom Award trophy and a trip for two to Philadelphia to attend the Independence Day celebration.
The Celebrate Freedom Awards contest, held annually from March 1 to May 1, is open to all military members, veterans, first responders and healthcare workers, answering the question, “What does freedom mean to me?”
Master Sergeant Connelly paved the way for women to serve in the Army National Guard's artillery, a combat branch that was previously closed to women. After more than 20 years of hard work and diligence, in 2012, Connelly became the first female artilleryman in an Army Reserve combat unit. On a recent deployment, Connelly said she was excited and proud to be able to deploy with five female soldiers in her platoon.
“I can't believe I'm receiving this award from Freedom Mortgage,” Connelly said. “To me, freedom means having the opportunity to pursue and realize your full potential and make your dreams come true. I'm honored to have been given the opportunity to break down barriers so that not only have I been able to realize my potential, but so that other women around me can do the same. I can look at my daughter and tell her without hesitation that she can be anything she really wants to be. I'm especially grateful for this award now that she's approaching the age where she'll need her own car and other things as she heads off to college next summer. This award will go a long way to helping her start her journey to living her dreams.”
“We are humbled by the many accolades we receive in our annual Celebrate Freedom Awards contest,” said Stanley C. Middleman, president and CEO of Freedom Mortgage. “It is important to recognize the work of heroes who have sacrificed to protect our country. Congratulations to this year's recipient, Naomi Connelly. We thank you and the other first responders, veterans, military and healthcare workers for your service.”
Since Freedom Mortgage's Celebrate Freedom Awards began five years ago, the contest has grown in popularity and the number of entries has soared each year. Freedom Mortgage donated $5 to both Feeding America® and the USO (United Service Organizations) for the first 600 entries submitted to the Celebrate Freedom Awards. The total donation of $6,000 was split equally between both organizations, helping to provide at least 30,000 meals* to hungry people and supporting programs for military personnel and their families, respectively. Since 2020, to encourage entries, Freedom Mortgage has donated a total of $21,000 to the two nonprofit organizations.
Through Freedom Cares, Freedom Mortgage's employee engagement and philanthropy program, the company provides support to many charities, including those that support military members, veterans and their families. Last year, the company and its employees donated more than $660,000 to support several organizations, including Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, MBA Opens Doors Foundation, The Salvation Army and Toys for Tots.
Freedom Mortgage is committed to promoting homeownership and financial improvement across the nation. To learn more about Freedom Mortgage, visit FreedomMortgage.com. To learn more about Freedom Mortgage's philanthropic efforts, visit TeamFreedomCares.org.
*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of our local partner food banks.
About Freedom Mortgage
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, Freedom Mortgage is an independent mortgage company that offers mortgage loans through retail, wholesale and correspondent channels. One of the nation's largest nonbank mortgage lenders and servicers, the company is licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Freedom Mortgage is the top VA and FHA (government guaranteed) lender in the United States (Inside Mortgage Finance, January-March 2024) and is one of the mortgage industry's largest charitable supporters to the USO of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The company is also known for a vibrant work environment where all team members can thrive. Earlier this year, Freedom Mortgage was named to Top Workplaces USA for the fourth consecutive year. Last year, Freedom Mortgage was named to the Inc. 5000 Honor Roll for the ninth time as one of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. Freedom Mortgage's mission is to facilitate homeownership for all consumers across the United States. Freedom Mortgage, Lender NMLS ID: 2767. Equal Housing Opportunity. For more information, visit FreedomMortgage.com.
Freedom Mortgage Contact Details:
Ellen Longo
609-678-0968
[email protected]
Source: Freedom Mortgage Corporation