LINTHICUM, MD, May 26, 2022 – NFM Lending is proud to sponsor the ASA Open 2022, benefiting Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA). The charity golf tournament will take place on Monday, June 6, 2022, in Marriotsville, MD. NFM is sponsoring this event for the second straight year.
“NFM is honored to sponsor and participate in the second annual ASA Open golf tournament that supports the organization’s invaluable Wingman program,” said NFM HR Director and ASA Board Member Madison Grey. “Without ASA’s Wingmen, the athletes they serve would not be able to cross the finish line. So, we are looking forward to a glorious day of camaraderie, raising funds for a great cause, and of course, some straight shots on the golf course.”
ASA’s mission is to “elevate the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility by empowering them to train for and participate in mainstream running events.” By creating an accessible space for athletes and their supporters, ASA fosters belonging and dignity within the physically challenged community. In addition, their expansive network of Wingmen volunteers provides moral support, and the extra push athletes need to cross the finish line. ASA holds races throughout the year in Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.
NFM Lending is proud to partner with ASA and promote its vision of inclusivity and connectedness.
NFM Lending is committed to supporting charities and nonprofits that better the communities they serve. NFM is also involved in charitable efforts with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Gary Sinise Foundation, and Greater Baltimore Urban League to name a few.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a national mortgage lending company currently licensed in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, Bluprint Home Loans, Freedmont Mortgage Group, and Elevate Home Loans. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, May 2, 2022— NFM Lending is pleased to honor Captain Jason Haag, USMC (Ret.), as the NFM Salute for May 2022.
Haag was undisciplined and a few steps away from damaging his life as a youth. When Haag was 18 years old, a judge warned him he needed to shape up or risk going to jail. Haag chose the former and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in December 1999.
In 2003, Haag deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He recalled how terrifying the experience was, explaining, “I’d have to say that was probably the worst combat deployment that I did. I was in a hole in the ground, getting shot at, getting blown up the whole time.”
Haag’s life changed forever on April 9, 2003, when he received his first battlefield injuries during a firefight. Haag was hit with machine gunfire, and a rocket-propelled grenade went off near his head. Despite his injuries, Haag continued his service and completed two more combat tours in Fallujah in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2013. Eventually, the physical and mental trauma sustained during his service greatly affected his well-being. As a result, he medically retired from the Marines in 2013 as a Captain. For his leadership and injuries, he received a Purple Heart, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with a bronze star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Iraqi Campaign Medal with three bronze stars, among others.
After leaving the service, Haag found himself in the darkest, loneliest place he had ever been. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Haag experienced debilitating depression, anxiety, and night terrors, which manifested into a substance addiction. He rarely left his house, instead choosing to be alone in his basement to self-medicate and nurse suicidal thoughts. “It was more sitting and being in a dark space all alone with my own thoughts, numbing it with pills, alcohol, and just trying to get up the next morning,” he explained. “I’ll be real; I was hoping I didn’t get up the next morning.”
Haag’s loved ones encouraged him to seek help through therapy and support groups, but nothing he tried worked. Finally, someone suggested he apply for a service dog. In 2012, a German shepherd named Axel came into his life. The trajectory of Haag’s life changed course from a path of pain and hopelessness to one of perseverance and optimism. “I absolutely credit him with saving my life at my worst point after I retired,” he said. “He can do a whole bunch of different things for me. His big thing was nightmare interruption. He definitely helped me mitigate my medications by just making it easier to cope with daily life.” With Axel by his side, Haag’s mental health improved, and quickly the two became inseparable.
Since being paired with Axel, Haag has made it his mission to promote the use of service dogs for Veterans with PTSD. He was instrumental in drafting and endorsing Virginia State Senate Bill 177, which expanded the definition of “service dog” to include dogs that assist people with non-physical injuries. In 2017, Haag founded his nonprofit Leashes of Valor (LOV), which trains and provides service dogs to post-9/11 Veterans at no cost. LOV works with those struggling with invisible wounds, such as PTSD, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and military sexual trauma (MST). Their comprehensive program ensures the Veteran is compatible with the dog, and they want to conquer their internal battles. LOV’s motto is “One leash saves two lives.” They have placed 21 service dogs with Veterans.
Haag lives in Bowling Green, Virginia, with his family. He believes Axel was destined to save his life, saying, “His birthday is on the anniversary of the first day that I was wounded, so it was kind of meant to be.”
The NFM Salute is an initiative in which one military member or Veteran is honored as the “Salute of the Month.” Salutes are chosen from nominations on the NFM Salute website, www.nfmsalute.com. The “Salute of the Month” is featured on the website with a biography and information about their service. NFM Lending will donate to a nonprofit in the Salute’s name. NFM Lending is proud to present $2,500 to Leashes of Valor in honor of Haag. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military service members and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, BluPrint Home Loans, Freedmont Mortgage Group, and Elevate Home Loans. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, April 18, 2022 – NFM Lending is proud to sponsor ASA RunFest 2022, benefiting Athletes Serving Athletes (ASA). The 5K run & 1K walk will take place on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in Hunt Valley, MD. NFM is sponsoring this event for the first time.
“It’s an honor for the entire NFM Family to be part of ASA Runfest this year,” said NFM President Jan Ozga. “NFM recently became a partner with ASA, and it has been a humbling experience. Watching athletes with limited mobility participate in mainstream running events leaves you speechless. ASA reminds us that our sole purpose in life is to be of service to others. We live in a world that needs more effort and kindness from everyone. Dave Slomkowski has created an organization that allows everyone the opportunity to give back to their community.”
“We are grateful for NFM’s desire to connect with our organization and help make a difference in the lives of our athletes living with limited mobility,” said Julia Kardian, ASA COO. “NFM’s support as a Diamond partner empowers our athletes to train and race, bringing them such joy. NFM is a part of our family now and helps bring our mission to fruition through their support at RunFest, the ASA Open, and as the title sponsor for our 15th anniversary Bull Roast Bash. Thank you NFM for believing in the impact ASA can bring to our communities and choosing to partner with us.”
ASA’s mission is to “elevate the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility by empowering them to train for and participate in mainstream running events.” By creating an accessible space for athletes and their supporters, ASA fosters belonging and dignity within the physically challenged community. In addition, their expansive network of Wingmen volunteers provides moral support and the extra push athletes need to cross the finish line. ASA holds races throughout the year in Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania, with RunFest being their largest fundraising event.
NFM Lending is proud to partner with ASA and promote its vision of inclusivity and connectedness.
NFM Lending is committed to supporting charities and nonprofits that better the communities they serve. NFM is also involved in charitable efforts with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Gary Sinise Foundation, and Greater Baltimore Urban League to name a few.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a national mortgage lending company currently licensed in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, Bluprint Home Loans, Freedmont Mortgage Group, and Elevate Home Loans. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, April 1, 2022— NFM Lending is pleased to honor Captain Matt Anderson, USA, Retired, as the NFM Salute for April 2022.
Anderson’s family has a military legacy: his grandfathers served during WWII, and his uncle was a Marine during the Vietnam War. Despite never intending to join the armed forces himself, Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005, only one semester away from completing his college degree. He recalled the moment he realized he wanted to serve, saying, “I certainly didn’t have to join, but as a freshman in college, I walked into my physiology class, and we watched the [Twin] Towers fall on 9/11.” By his senior year of college, the war in Iraq was still building and he chose to enlist in the infantry. “I just really wanted to do my part. I was a good athlete and smart. I thought it was the right thing to do.”
He deployed to Kirkuk Province, Iraq, where he spent 15 months as part of a sniper and reconnaissance platoon. Anderson quickly proved himself to be a dependable teammate and was promoted rapidly. He and his platoon conducted over 425 combat missions and raids that directly targeted Al-Qaeda leadership, freeing two nearby cities and the local population from their oppression. Anderson attributes his recon platoon with forming him into the soldier, non-commissioned officer, officer, and man he is today.
For his second tour of duty, Anderson deployed to the Arghandab River Valley in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan. By this time, he had been commissioned as an officer and was an Infantry platoon leader, responsible for planning operations, humanitarian aid, local leader engagements, logistics, and managing 31 soldiers. The Arghandab River Valley was one of the most dangerous locations in Afghanistan in 2010. His platoon of 31 had 14 wounded in the first 20 days of combat. His command praised his ability to keep his men motivated and in good spirits, despite the conditions they found themselves in.
A few months into their deployment, on October 10, 2010, Anderson and a squad from his platoon conducted a reconnaissance and surveillance patrol in a deserted town along the Arghandab River. The Taliban had forced everyone that lived there to leave, and it was known to have been mined extensively. While getting his men ready to move back to their base he stepped on a landmine. The blast threw him against a wall and shattered his right foot and lower leg bones. Later in that same compound, his minesweeper and another soldier were similarly wounded by landmines. Though Anderson did not lose the leg due to the blast injury, he incurred extensive bone, nerve, and muscle damage. He went to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston, TX, for treatment, where he underwent 24 surgeries and 13 months of rehabilitation.
During his recovery period, Anderson tried to keep his and his fellow patients’ spirits up by challenging them and building an encouraging environment. He wanted to return to active duty and get back in the fight. The desire to continue his service motivated him to work even harder during physical therapy and finish the last semester of his degree. Part of his rehabilitation involved teaching other wounded service members to play golf. He knew that the focus and peace of mind it brought could be highly beneficial to the soldiers during their rehab, and it also led Anderson to fall in love with the game. Two years after being wounded, he was promoted to Captain and was able to walk and exercise with the help of a carbon fiber leg brace.
In early 2014, Anderson completed a brief, final deployment to Afghanistan, medically retiring soon after. Anderson received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal for his bravery and injuries sustained in his nine-year military career.
Since retiring, he has worked in the private sector for various government contractors. Even as a civilian, Anderson continues to aid and advocate for fellow wounded service members. He serves as a Consumer Advocate for the Peer Reviewed Orthopedic Research Program (PRORP), which uses Congressional funding to advance orthopedic research for injured military members. His experience and contributions will improve surgical outcomes and rehabilitation for current and future warfighters that sustain combat injuries.
He now shares his passion for playing golf with other wounded Veterans through his involvement with the Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA). As an SMGA Board Member and program mentor, he enjoys seeing Veterans’ faces light up when they make progress during a round. “Many guys need a new way of finding peace, a new sport, or something that gets them out of the house,” he explained. “Being out in blue skies, on green grass, getting away for a few hours with a couple of friends, can do a lot for you. It’s as good for you mentally as it is physically.”
Captain Anderson lives in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife, Nikki, and their daughter. He has made volunteering a core part of his life. He gives his time to several charitable causes benefiting military Veterans. “I’ve always wanted to keep my weekends open and maybe a day during the week where I can still volunteer and help out with other military and Veteran-focused organizations.”
The NFM Salute is an initiative in which one military member or Veteran is chosen each month to be honored as the “Salute of the Month.” Salutes are chosen from nominations on the NFM Salute website, www.nfmsalute.com. The “Salute of the Month” is featured on the website with a biography and information about his or her service. NFM Lending will donate to a non-profit in the Salute’s name. NFM Lending is proud to donate $2,500 to Salute Military Golf Association in honor of Anderson. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military service members and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 48 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, BluPrint Home Loans, Freedmont Mortgage Group, and Elevate Home Loans. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, March 31, 2022— NFM Lending is proud to sponsor the Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland (RMHCMD) 11th annual Red Shoe Shuffle 5k Run and Walk. The event will take place on Sunday, April 3, 2022, and is open to in-person and virtual participants. NFM Lending is sponsoring and participating in this worthy cause for the 11th year.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland is an organization that provides a cost-free “home away from home” for seriously ill children and their families while undergoing treatment. They also work with and help fund programs in the local area that directly improve the wellbeing of children. Since 1982, the RMHCMD has housed more than 40,000 families from around the world. Events like the Red Shoe Shuffle provide RMHCMD the means to increase the number of families they can accommodate, with more than 2,400 families coming through their doors every year.
“NFM Lending is excited once again to be a sponsor of the Red Shoe Shuffle,” said Madison Grey, Human Resources Director. “This is our 11th straight year of partnering with the Ronald McDonald House. After two years of virtual events, we’re thrilled that the Shuffle will be live again this year. Not only is NFM proud to sponsor the race every year, but our employees love participating in the fun atmosphere, all while raising money for such a noble and meaningful cause. So, wear your red and white socks and get ready to shuffle!”
NFM Lending is committed to giving back to the communities where they live and work. The RMHCMD is one of the many meaningful charities they foster. NFM Lending is proud to support charities and nonprofits dedicated to improving the wellbeing of children’s lives. NFM is also involved in charitable efforts with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, JAFCO, Little Stars, and Mickie’s Miracles, to name a few.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a national mortgage lending company currently licensed in 47 states and the District of Columbia. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, Bluprint Home Loans, Freedmont Mortgage Group, and Elevate Home Loans. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, March 1, 2022— NFM Lending is pleased to honor Combat Engineer and Army Specialist John Lanier, USA, as the NFM Salute for March 2022.
Lanier was drafted in 1965 just as the military sent more troops to Vietnam. While many in his training class went to Vietnam, Lanier deployed to newly-formed South Korea. After the end of the Korean War in 1953, the young country was going through social and political turmoil. As a combat engineer, he was responsible for rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and maintaining peace among civilians.
Though he was not in a war zone, Lanier witnessed harrowing events that have stayed with him ever since. He saw his translator friend Kim die trying to stop a man unknowingly handling an undetonated land mine. Another time, he watched villagers perish when they were unable to evacuate in time during a monsoon. “It just swept them down the river, all of the bodies, and the screaming and hollering…we couldn’t get them,” he remembers. “It stuck. It stuck in my mind, over and over.”
After leaving the military, Lanier suffered from various physical ailments and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Living with so much pain was difficult for Lanier, but his family gave him hope to keep moving forward. Raising his son Jeremie was “nothing but a joy,” and he credits Jerline, his wife of 48 years, for staying by his side through thick and thin.
More recently, Lanier and his family encountered financial hardship and struggled to pay their mortgage and other expenses. Fortunately, they received a donation from Code of Vets, which allowed them to stay in their home and pay for essentials.
Although his time in South Korea will forever be part of his life, Lanier refuses to let troubled thoughts consume him. “I just try to forget, try to keep things out of my mind and every once in a while, something on the T.V. or something like that pops up and brings back memories, but I try to cope with it.”
Lanier resides in Lynchburg, VA, with his wife.
The NFM Salute is an initiative in which one military member or Veteran is chosen each month to be honored as the “Salute of the Month.” Salutes are chosen from nominations on the NFM Salute website, www.nfmsalute.com. The “Salute of the Month” is featured on the website with a biography and information about his or her service. NFM Lending will donate to a non-profit in the Salute’s name. NFM Lending is proud to donate $2,500 to Code of Vets in honor of Lanier. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military service members and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 48 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, BluPrint Home Loans, Freedmont Mortgage Group, and Elevate Home Loans. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, February 1, 2022— NFM Lending is pleased to honor Sergeant Nathan Hartseil, USMC, as the NFM Salute for February 2022.
As a youth in Illinois, Hartseil was unsure of what career path to take, but he knew he wanted to do something to benefit others. His grandfather, one of his heroes, did just that with his life. William Hartseil served in Korea as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines, earning a Purple Heart. His grandfather’s memories and life lessons influenced Hartseil’s values and decision to enter the military. “I wanted to do something meaningful, helpful, gain some discipline, maturity, and direction to lay the foundation for the rest of my life,” remembers Hartseil. After finishing high school, this desire to better himself and become more like his role model led Hartseil to join the Marines in 1997.
Within the first two and a half years of his service, Hartseil distinguished himself when he was chosen to participate in a security forces training program. As part of the elite Marine Security Force, he guarded national leaders, including President Bill Clinton. Eventually, Hartseil returned to the infantry as a squad leader.
The Marines allowed him to travel and train with the best of the nation’s defense, stationing him in Hawaii, Guam, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Australia. The camaraderie and values he gained in the military were life-changing. Four and a half years into serving, Hartseil transitioned into a reservist role. At the same time, he pursued his education at Eastern Illinois University. Though he had not left the military, it was still a lifestyle shift. “The first month was a little difficult because you live such a different life in the Marine Corps from the perfect way you dress to cutting your hair, and to come back to a no-military setting is overwhelming,” said Hartseil. “However, the experiences I gained from other countries helps you mentally adapt to all ways of life.” Soon enough, he was thriving and enjoying college and civilian life. In 2005, Hartseil left the Marines after eight years of service.
After finishing his degree, Hartseil started working as a pipefitter but found he loved interacting with customers and went into automotive sales. From 2006 to 2008, Hartseil worked in the mortgage industry, but the two firms he worked for went bankrupt during the 2008 financial crisis. His next venture involved joining a small company specializing in commercial development financing, but the economy at the time was not optimal for long-term success. So Hartseil was left to adapt once again. In 2013, he boldly moved from Chicago to Boston and returned to the mortgage industry.
In 2020, he joined Main Street Home Loans (MSHL) as an Area Manager. Since then, Hartseil has grown his team and closed over $180 million in loans since joining. He is consistently included in the Top 1% of Loan Originators in America by Scotsman Guide and Mortgage Executive Magazine. Hartseil has found a home in MSHL, saying, “It reminds me in some aspects of my military days in the brotherhood, camaraderie, and family aspect. So far, my experience has been nothing short of amazing, and I truly feel the best is yet to come. Here at Main Street, I have been given the freedom to build and create, and I believe we as a team have just started.”
Hartseil lives in Sagamore Beach, MA, with his wife and children. He is actively involved with his local chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
The NFM Salute is an initiative in which one military member or Veteran is chosen each month to be honored as the “Salute of the Month.” Salutes are chosen from nominations on the NFM Salute website, www.nfmsalute.com. The “Salute of the Month” is featured on the website with a biography and information about their service. NFM Lending will donate to a non-profit in the Salute’s name. NFM Lending is proud to present $2,500 to the Gary Sinise Foundation on behalf of Hartseil. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military service members and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 48 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, BluPrint Home Loans, and Freedmont Mortgage Group. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, January 3, 2022—NFM Lending is pleased to honor Staff Sergeant Danny Farrar as the NFM Salute for January 2022. Farrar was previously profiled as the NFM Salute in April 2016.
Farrar grew up in Crewe, VA, a small town outside Richmond. He enlisted as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army in 1998. Three years into his service, the 9/11 attacks occurred. Farrar’s company was called to the Pentagon to secure the area; The devastation struck him, sparking his desire to fight on the front lines. Farrar volunteered for combat missions and deployed overseas. From 2005 to 2006, he was a gunner in Baghdad.
In 2006, after eight years of service, Farrar left the Army. In doing so, he left the structured environment where he had spent most of his adult life. “Boot camp, the entire purpose is to take you from being a civilian to being a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, but they don’t really do a good job of reverse engineering that process,” he explained. “So anywhere from two to three months after you get out, you start to look around and realize, ‘Man, this isn’t what I thought it would be,’ and you do start to feel like an outcast.” Due to these struggles, Farrar spent months living out of his car and sleeping on friends’ couches. These setbacks exacerbated his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression and led to a failed suicide attempt.
The close call with death became a turning point. During his journey to recovery, Farrar began taking mixed martial arts classes. The gym’s instructor was impressed with Farrar’s determination and asked him to bring his knowledge to the academy. This opportunity allowed Farrar to develop his coaching skills, and in 2007, he started the fitness business, Soldierfit. What began as a small class held in parks and rented spaces transformed into a network of 14 franchise locations across five states. Soldierfit’s military-inspired training regimen helps people reboot their lives by building discipline, camaraderie, and accountability.
In December 2014, Farrar learned of a local soldier from Frederick, MD, who had committed suicide. He was troubled by the number of Veteran suicides that occur each year and the lack of public awareness of the problem. Well-aware of the challenges and psychological dangers many American Veterans face, he started his next passion project, Platoon 22, to raise awareness about this epidemic. The name alludes to the average number of Veteran suicides each day. “What we really started off as was an awareness movement because you can’t really fix a problem if you don’t know a problem exists,” said Farrar. Platoon 22 provides many services to Veterans in crisis, including case management and benefits navigation. Recently, Platoon 22 partnered with Goodwill of Monocacy Valley to build a Veterans’ Service Center to provide job training, transitional support, case services, counseling, and more. The center expects to open in 2022. His vision is to expand the model to other Goodwill centers around the country.
Farrar believes that Veterans are an invaluable resource to society. “They have exceptional leadership training, they have capabilities that our communities and our country need desperately,” he said. “To lose that because we failed to honor our social contract and provide actual transitional support for the men and the women that put on the uniform and said they would fight for us, I think that’s a travesty.”
In addition to running his business and charity, Farrar enjoys spending time with his wife, daughters, and service dog in Gaithersburg, MD.
The NFM Salute is an initiative in which one military member or Veteran is chosen each month to be honored as the “Salute of the Month.” Salutes are chosen from nominations on the NFM Salute website, www.nfmsalute.com. The “Salute of the Month” is featured on the website with a biography. NFM Lending will donate to a non-profit in the Salute’s name. NFM Lending is proud to present $2,500 to Platoon 22 in honor of Farrar. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military service members and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 48 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, BluPrint Home Loans, and Freedmont Mortgage Group. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, December 1, 2021— NFM Lending is pleased to honor Petty Officer 2nd Class Yasmine Charles, USN, as the NFM Salute for December 2021.
Like many young girls growing up in Haiti, Charles faced countless perils in a country known for political turmoil and violent crime. So, at age 12, her mother was sent to live with her father and stepmother who had settled in New York previously. Unfortunately, the change of scenery did little to improve her harrowing childhood. She suffered verbal and physical abuse from her father and was treated more like a servant than a daughter. When she was 16, her family deported her back to Haiti for defying their orders. Fortunately, she was able to return with the help of her high school teachers and principal. At age 21, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a Culinary Specialist. For Charles, the military was an escape from hardship and a chance to cook and see the world. “It was very traumatic for me, leaving my country, my mother. And I moved into a house with really no affection, no love, to be the help in the house. And it did something to my self-esteem and my self-worth. I felt the only way out of that, the only way to separate myself from that feeling of worthlessness was to join one of the most respected organizations in the world—the military, and that’s what I did. The Navy changed my life.”
Her first assignment was in Sasebo, Japan, where she stayed for three years. Next, she was stationed in Virginia for another three years, and finally California for two years. Charles loved being able to nurture her passion for cooking and meet new people in the field. Though her primary role was in the kitchen, Charles performed administrative tasks in other departments, increasing her skillset. In 2008 after nearly nine years of military service, Charles left the Navy to pursue her bachelor’s degree and increase her career opportunities.
Charles enrolled at Norfolk State University using her GI Bill. She was eager to earn her degree in Nutrition and Food Science. However, as a first-time college student, Charles found herself struggling academically and, soon, financially. She started falling behind on rent payments and had already exhausted her GI Bill, personal savings, and retirement savings to remain in school. Even the Veterans Affairs Administration (VA) was unable to help her. After losing her apartment, Charles began living out of her SUV in September 2015.
One day out of desperation, she sought help by emailing WVEC, a local news station. Reaching out to them would change her situation and life forever. WVEC shared her story on the news and connected her with VetsHouse, Inc., a transitional housing community for Veterans in Virginia Beach, VA. Charles used her time in the shelter to reset her life physically, financially, and emotionally. “VetsHouse was a lifeline for me,” said Charles. “When I was desperate, just trying to find a place to stay, it was really just a place for me to catch my breath, rest, and come up with a plan as far as what I was going to do.” In just three months, Charles’ life started to look upwards. She received a tuition donation from a kind stranger who had seen her news feature and secured a new apartment and car. With the support of her community, Charles completed her degree in 2017.
While that painful chapter of her life is behind her, Charles will never forget its impact on her. Since then, she has made it her mission to be a guardian angel for other homeless Veterans in her community. Charles makes it a point to listen to Veterans in need and hand out toiletry packs, bus fares, and even hotel stays. One of her life philosophies is to take action to affect change rather than wait for others to make it happen. In 2019, Charles shared her story with the world with her first book, which will soon be republished as “The Cost of the American Dream: Diary of a Homeless Soul.” By recounting her life experiences, her goal is to give hope to homeless Veterans, women, immigrants, and people from broken homes.
Charles lives in Norfolk, VA. In her spare time, she manages her own YouTube and TikTok channels focused on cooking and nutrition and advocating for homeless Veterans and Haitian immigrants.
NFM Lending is proud to donate $2,500 to VetsHouse, Inc. on behalf of Charles. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 48 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, BluPrint Home Loans, and Freedmont Mortgage Group. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, November 5, 2021— NFM Lending is proud to sponsor the 16th annual Claws for Kids 2021 on November 8, 2021, to benefit Florida Foster Care Review (FFCR). The in-person portion of this hybrid fundraising event will be held at Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami Beach, Florida. This is NFM’s first time sponsoring this event.
FFCR’s mission is to provide social programs and resources to children and youth in foster care. Along with placing children in permanent, loving homes, they offer guidance and transitional support to those aging out of the foster care system. FFCR’s committed staff advocates for each child, no matter their age or situation.
“NFM Lending is proud to be a first-time sponsor of the Florida Foster Care Review (FFCR) Annual Claws for Kids event,” said David Silverman, Founder and CEO of NFM Lending. “FFCR provides essential services, safety and stability to the children and youth in foster care with an opportunity to fulfill their potential. I am humbled by the FFCR’s mission and honored to have NFM Lending partner with an organization that is critical to connecting foster children and youth with their forever family.”
Whether someone in foster care needs academic support, counseling, immigration advocacy, or career networking, FFCR will connect that individual with the appropriate services to aid them. FFCR exists to ensure no child falls through the cracks and that they have the tools to lead stable and prosperous lives. NFM Lending is proud to support FFCR and looks forward to continuing its work with such a fantastic organization.
FFCR is just one of the several children-centric charities NFM Lending is honored to support. Other organizations include St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland, Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Little Smiles, and Mickie’s Miracles.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a national mortgage lending company currently licensed in 42 states in the U.S. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, Bluprint Home Loans, and Freedmont Mortgage Group. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.