Thank you for celebrating #ILoveMyCreditUnion with First Financial for the 6th year in a row! We were excited to join the Illinois Credit Union League and credit unions nationwide to celebrate the “credit union difference.”
Follow our official @FFFCUofMD social media channels Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn to see what belonging to First Financial means to our employees, partners and community!
Want to join in on the fun?
It’s simple! Just use the hashtag #ILoveMyCreditUnion on Friday, July 31st, and give us a shoutout @FFFCUofMD on your favorite social platform.
Please keep these tips in mind to post safely and responsibly:
- Avoid oversharing personal, financial or professional information
- Avoid tagging your location
- Be aware of your background in any photos
- Tag us @fffcuofmd and use the official hashtag #ilovemycreditunion
- Share your post on July 31
Donations for Teachers and Students
2025 Results
Thank you to everyone who supported and shared our 2026 #FFFCULikeForACause event! In 48 hours, we received an incredible 193 LIKES and 61 SHARES!
Thanks to your efforts, we’ll donate $255 to each of the incredible school systems below… that’s $1,530 to support our community!
Our 8th Annual #FFFCULikeForACause social blitz is almost here! Get ready to like, share, and help make a difference as we come together to support the students, educators, and schools in our community.
What is #FFFCULikeForACause?
All you have to do is LIKE!
It’s easy – for 24 hours, starting at 12pm on Tuesday, August 4th and now extended through 12pm on Thursday, August 6th, First Financial will donate $1 for every “like” on our official @FFFCUofMD Instagram post. We will donate an additional $1 for every share using #FFFCULikeForACause the post receives.
We’re proud to continue this campaign for an EIGHTH straight year, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support of our followers and members! Making a difference takes all of us, so join us in spreading the word and helping us support local schools in our community!
Why #FFFCULikeForACause?
At the end of the campaign, our donation will benefit six of our incredible partner school systems that play a critical role in the continued success of our students and teachers in the community.
Help support the teachers and students in our community by following our official Instagram today!
For more information, read our 2026 Like For A Cause Official Rules.
***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to our winner who graduated from Carroll County Public Schools!***
Congratulations to Our 2026 High School Graduates!
Graduating high school and heading off to college is an exciting milestone filled with new opportunities, experiences, and responsibilities. At First Financial Federal Credit Union, we know this transition can also bring added expenses, which is why we’re excited to help one deserving 2026 high school graduate get college-ready with our College Dorm Essentials Giveaway!
Ready to win? Simply LIKE, COMMENT, and SHARE our official First Financial (@FFFCUofMD) Instagram giveaway post. One lucky First Financial member will take home the prize!
Sweepstakes Details
At the end of the giveaway, the winner will be randomly selected on or around August 5th, 2026. The official First Financial Instagram account will notify the winner via the comment section on the giveaway post and in a direct message to confirm eligibility.
The winner must be able to make arrangements to pick up their prize at the First Financial FCU Administration Office located at 72 Loveton Circle, Sparks Glencoe, 21152 during normal business hours, Monday – Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.
Remember, First Financial will NEVER contact you for card information or other personal/sensitive information. If you have any questions, please contact Member Services directly at 410-321-6060.
The Sweepstakes closes at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026. Open to First Financial members who are in good standing with the credit union who are legal U.S. residents ages 17-20 at the time of entry and are a 2026 high school graduate. Read the Official Rules to learn more.
First Financial was honored to receive the Partner of the Year award at the Education Foundation of BCPS 2025–2026 Year-End Recognition ceremony.
The event also recognized several First Financial employees for their individual achievements:
- Joan Pugh, Relationship Manager, received the Debbie Phelps Award for her outstanding support of the Foundation.
- Cindy Jones, Vice President of Growth and Engagement, was honored with the Hermes Award for her contributions to the strategic planning process.
- Lene McCollum, Business Development Manager, was recognized for her appointment to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
First Financial looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Education Foundation of BCPS and supporting opportunities for students and educators.
Congratulations to the 2026 Baltimore County Public Schools’ School Resource Officers of the Year!
We were excited to recognize the outstanding SROs who have gone above and beyond to support the safety and well-being of BCPS students and staff. In partnership with the Baltimore County Police Department, these dedicated officers play a vital role in creating a secure and welcoming school environment.
- Elementary School SRO of the Year: Officer Joaquin Prudent
- Middle School SRO of the Year: Officer Aundre Smith
- High School SRO of the Year: Officer Hector Pomales
As the official credit union for BCPS, First Financial is proud to take part in the annual surprise ceremonies honoring these exceptional officers. This year, our Community Engagement Manager John, alongside our Relationship Manager Joan, had the pleasure of presenting each honoree with a special gift basket to celebrate their achievements.
A Strong Partnership for Safer Schools
The SRO program is a key part of BCPS’s Safe Schools Initiative. These officers do more than ensure safety, they build meaningful relationships with students, serve as mentors, and foster a positive school culture.
Thank you to the Officers for all that you do! We’re grateful for the continued partnership between BCPS and the Baltimore County Police Department, and for the officers who make a positive impact every day.
Check out the photo gallery below for highlights from the ceremonies:
First Financial recently showed its support for local classrooms by hosting a Books for Bins drive for the BCPS Education Foundation! Thanks to the generosity of employees and the community, about 150 books were collected to support students and teachers across Baltimore County.
Cindy Jones, Vice President of Growth and Engagement, delivered the books to the Exchangeree at Rosedale/Golden Ring. The Exchangerees are resource centers where BCPS teachers can sign up to “shop” for free classroom supplies, helping them better serve their students.
Each donated book plays a small but meaningful role in supporting learning and sparking a love of reading. First Financial is proud to be part of this effort and thankful to everyone who helped make a difference, one book at a time.
We were proud to attend the Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) Employee Recognition Ceremony, which celebrates the exceptional educators and staff who make a difference in students’ lives every day.
During the event, we had the special honor of recognizing Emily Brynes of Westminster High School, who was named CCPS Teacher of the Year. In celebration of her outstanding achievements and commitment to education, First Financial presented Emily with a gift basket as a small token of our appreciation. Her dedication to shaping the future and supporting student success is truly inspiring.
For more than 30 years, First Financial has been proud to serve the Carroll County community. Supporting local schools and recognizing the incredible work of educators is just one of the many ways we stay connected to the people and institutions that make our community strong.
Congratulations again to Emily Brynes and to all of this year’s honorees. We thank you for everything you do!
First Financial was proud to attend and sponsor the Cecil County Public Schools Teacher of the Year Gala! This is a meaningful event that celebrates the dedication, passion, and impact of educators across the community.
As part of the sponsorship, First Financial awarded a $500 gift basket to this year’s Teacher of the Year – an individual who exemplifies commitment to student success and the future of our community. Supporting and attending events like this reflects our long ongoing commitment to education and the communities we serve.
Congratulations to all of the incredible educators recognized – we are grateful for everything you do!
We’re excited to continue our commitment to supporting local students and families by contributing $5,000 to the Cecil County Public Schools Families in Transition (FIT) Program.
The FIT Program is an essential initiative to support students facing homelessness by helping them remain engaged in their education. Through assistance such as providing clothing, food, transportation, and temporary housing, the program offers stability and resources that students require to thrive and succeed.
Our donation helps strengthen these efforts and supports the mission of ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We’re honored to support the incredible work Cecil County Public Schools is doing for the youth in our community.
First Financial was thrilled to recently attend and support Cecil College’s Career Fair! The Career Fair enabled students and job seekers to connect with employers offering a wide variety of internships, part-time, and full-time positions.
We were able to speak with everyone who stopped by about what it’s like to work at First Financial, in addition to potential careers available at institutions such as credit unions. We also outlined the internship and entry‑level pathways that can help students begin building experience in the financial services industry. It was also a great opportunity for students at Cecil College to learn the products and offerings of First Financial.
Thank you to everyone who attended! We had a great time getting to know everyone and helping those who may be interested in working in financial services.
