Fifth annual contest awarded Connelly with
$10,000
—Award presented on July 4 at the Wawa Welcome America Festival in
Philadelphia—
BOCA
RATON, Fla., July 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Mortgage, one of the largest
full-service independent mortgage companies, and a top Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
(government-insured) lender in the U.S., has named Naomi Connelly of Dover, New Hampshire this year's winner of the
company's Celebrate Freedom Award. Connelly was officially
recognized on July 4 at the Wawa
Welcome America Festival in Philadelphia, where the Celebration of Freedom
ceremony was held in front of Independence Hall. Connelly received
a check for $10,000 from Freedom
Mortgage, the Celebrate Freedom Award trophy, and a trip for two to
Philadelphia to attend the
Independence Day festivities.
The Celebrate Freedom Award contest, which runs annually from
March 1 through May 1, is open to all
service members, veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers
who enter and answer the question: "What does freedom mean to
me?"
As Sergeant First Class, Connelly
paved the way for women to hold posts in the Artillery Field in the
Army National Guard, the combat arm that was once closed to
females. After over 20 years of hard work and diligence, in 2012,
Connelly became the first female Artilleryman in Combat Arms in the
Army Reserve Components. On a recent deployment, Connelly shared
that she was so full of joy and pride to be able to deploy
alongside five additional women servicemembers in her platoon.
"I'm in disbelief to receive this award from Freedom Mortgage,"
said Connelly. "To me, freedom is having the opportunity to pursue
and achieve your full potential and be able to live out your
dreams. I'm proud to have been given the opportunity to break down
obstacles so that not only I could achieve my potential, but also
so that the women around me can do the same. I can look at my
daughter and tell her, without reservation, that she truly can be
anything she wants to be. I'm grateful for this award, especially
at this moment when my daughter is coming to the age where she
needs her own car and other things as she looks toward college next
summer. This award will be a huge help for my daughter to start her
journey to live her dreams."
Stanley C. Middleman, Freedom Mortgage president and CEO, said,
"Every year, we are so impressed to hear from so many during our
annual Celebrate Freedom Award contest. It's important to recognize
the work of our heroes, along with their many sacrifices that
protect our country. Congratulations to Naomi Connelly on receiving this year's award;
we thank you and all other first responders, veterans, service
members, and healthcare workers for your service."
Since the launch of the Freedom Mortgage Celebrate Freedom Award
five years ago, the contest has grown in popularity, and
submissions have soared each year. For the first 600 submitted
applications for the Celebrate Freedom Award, Freedom Mortgage made
a $5 donation to both Feeding
America® and the USO (United Service
Organizations). A total donation of $6,000 was split evenly between both
organizations, helping to provide at least 30,000 meals* to people
facing hunger and supporting programs for service members and their
families, respectively. In total, since 2020, to incent
submissions, Freedom Mortgage has donated $21,000 to the two nonprofits.
Through Freedom Cares, Freedom Mortgage's employee
engagement and philanthropic program, the company provides
assistance to many charities, including those that support military
service 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 and others.
Freedom Mortgage is committed to fostering homeownership and
financial betterment across the country. For more information about
Freedom Mortgage, visit FreedomMortgage.com. For more information
about Freedom Mortgage's philanthropic efforts, visit
TeamFreedomCares.org.
*$1 helps provide at least 10
meals, secured by Feeding America on behalf of local partner food
banks.
About Freedom Mortgage
Founded in 1990 and
headquartered in Boca Raton,
Florida, Freedom Mortgage is an independent mortgage company
that provides mortgage loans through retail, wholesale and
correspondent channels. One of the nation's largest non-bank
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 a top
VA and FHA (government-insured) lender in the U.S. (Inside Mortgage
Finance, January–March 2024), and one of the mortgage industry's
largest philanthropic supporters of the USO of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey. The company is also renowned for its vibrant work
environment where all team members can thrive. Earlier this year,
Freedom Mortgage was honored for the fourth year in a row as
a Top Workplaces USA. Last
year, Freedom Mortgage made it back on the Inc. 5000 Honor Roll for
the ninth time as one of the fastest-growing private companies
across the country. Freedom Mortgage's mission is to foster
homeownership for all consumers across America. Freedom Mortgage,
Lender NMLS ID: 2767. Equal Housing Opportunity. For more
information visit FreedomMortgage.com.
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CONTACT:
Ellen Longo
609-678-0968
Ellen.Longo@FreedomMortgage.com
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/army-national-guard-naomi-connelly-honored-with-the-freedom-mortgage-2024-celebrate-freedom-award-302189222.html
SOURCE Freedom Mortgage Corporation