With increasing support from Freedom Federal Credit Union, 10 Harford County elementary schools provided incentives to students this past school year to complete their Patriot Program requirements.

The Patriot Program is a voluntary program where students learn about patriotism and gain an appreciation for American history.

According to Freedom Federal Credit Union, the Patriot programs are supported at Bakerfield, Emmorton, Forest Lakes, Havre de Grace, Joppatowne, Norrisville, Prospect Mill, Ring Factory, William S. James and Youth's Benefit elementary schools. The schools' PTAs, school administrators, teachers, parent volunteers and Freedom develop the programs.

The Patriot Programs help kids learn about their country, patriotism and our nation's past, present and future, as well as national and state geographic facts, Freedom noted in a press release.

Freedom provides successful students with an incentive reward of a knapsack or T-shirt. Both items feature the Patriot program logo. Each school reported positive growth in the program, and credited the incentives as contributing to this success.

Rose Ann Lambert, president and CEO of Freedom Federal Credit Union, Mike Dilworth, senior vice president of marketing, and Patrice Ricciardi, business development specialist, participated in the schools' recent awards assemblies.

Freedom is a not-for-profit, community-chartered, federal credit union offering consumer financial services to those who live, work and worship, attend school or have family in Harford County. Freedom also offers a full-line of banking services for businesses, associations, and other organizations in Harford County.

Founded in 1953, Freedom has five Harford County locations and a 24/7/365 member service support center.