The holidays are finally here! For many people, this is a frenzied time to get everything done, and it can be easy to overlook safety in the name of festivity. Here are some home holiday safety tips to remember when you celebrate this season.
Many people love the look and scent of a real tree during the holidays, but it could pose some safety issues if not cared for properly. While a rare occurrence, you want to avoid a potential fire. Monitor your tree and make sure it is always well-watered—dry trees are more likely to catch fire and will burn faster than a hydrated one. Artificial trees can give you a similar look to a real tree without the hassle of watering, though they have their own considerations. If you prefer an artificial tree, look for models that are marked “fire resistant.” Some faux trees may come pre-lit, where the lighting is integrated into the tree itself. Inspect the wiring to ensure it is in good condition before plugging it in, especially if you have had your tree for a few years. No matter what kind of tree you have, place your tree away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, heating vents, or radiators.
Who doesn’t love an excuse to put up twinkling lights? Before you plug a light strand into every available socket, check the wiring to make sure it isn’t damaged and plug them in before arranging them. Put your lights on a timer so you can manage when they turn on and off. This will prolong the life of your lights and prevent them from overheating. Before going to crazy with decorating, a good rule of thumb is to limit three light sets to an extension cord. However, always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for specifics. Additionally, never use indoor lights outside or vice versa.
If your home has a chimney, gathering around a blazing fireplace during the holidays can make everything more special. Treating it with care and using it correctly will keep your home and family safe. After you’ve unwrapped gifts, you’ll likely have piles of wrapping paper to discard. It might be more convenient to just toss them into your fireplace, but this can cause an uncontrollable fire and release toxins into your home. Simply recycle your gift wrappings after they have served their purpose. Similarly, never burn your old tree or evergreen decorations in your fireplace. The resins in the wood are extremely flammable and could cause an unintended fire if burned in a fireplace or wood stove. Instead, put your tree to the curb for yard waste pickup or see if there is a tree recycling program in your area.
Lighting a few candles gives off a special aura, especially during the holidays. Always place your candles away from flammable things, especially trees or curtains. Whether you plan to use candles for a religious ceremony or just for the atmosphere, be sure to not to leave them unattended. It only takes a moment for an accident to happen. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case a candle gets knocked over. When possible, consider using battery-operated candles instead of real ones to reduce your risk of fire.
Holiday decorations are a fun way to brighten up your block or add curb appeal to your home! Before you break out the ladder, inspect your lights for exposed or frayed wiring and loose bulb connections. Throw out and replace any sets that are damaged. Then, plug them in to make sure they work before setting up. If you’re planning on putting lights on your roof, have another person spot you while you’re on the ladder. Opt to use plastic hooks or clips to affix your lights instead of staples or nails. It will make installation and removal much easier and won’t damage your lights or roof. Additionally, avoid decorating in bad weather, as inclement conditions can reduce visibility and stability.
Just like the lights inside your home, you should have a timer for your outdoor decorations, too. Timers are the perfect solution to ensure the lights turn on at an optimal time and don’t stay on too long. Make sure they go off before you go to bed.
It’s important to plug your lights into a ground fault circuit interrupter outlet (GFCI) rather than a standard outlet. A GFCI outlet turns off the electricity if it senses abnormal energy currents, preventing fires or deadly electrocutions. Since the lights you put up outside use much more energy than those inside, it’s more crucial to have this protection.
If you live in an area that gets snow, it can be either a pleasure or a pain. Prior to snowfall, it’s a good idea to put a pre-application of de-icer on your driveway and/or walkways. This will help prevent the snow from hardening and ice formation. When the snowfall is over, remove the snow when it’s still fresh as it will be easiest at this time. It’s certainly not the most fun thing to do but being proactive will reduce the amount of work you need to do to maintain a clear pathway. After you’ve removed the snow, sprinkle more de-icer to get rid of slippery spots. You can also shake some kitty litter or sand on the area to add traction.
Holiday mishaps may be funny in the movies, but they aren’t very entertaining when they happen in real life. When you keep safety at the forefront of your celebrations, you can be sure your holidays will be more joyful and memorable.
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LINTHICUM, MD, December 3, 2020— NFM Lending is proud to announce it was named a Top Workplace in the Baltimore area by The Baltimore Sun. This is the ninth consecutive year NFM Lending has received this honor.
Each year, The Baltimore Sun distributes a survey to employees of Baltimore area workplaces. The survey analyzes the job satisfaction and engagement of the employees along with the values and organizational health of the company.
“This is our 9th year in a row receiving this acknowledgement,” said Jan Ozga, President of NFM Lending. “It’s always about the employees first. If that is done correctly then everything else falls into place. We understand what culture really means. Culture isn’t a word; it is an action. The biggest indicator of a favorable workplace are the reviews from your customers and the tenure of your employees. If you look at our employee tenure and our customer reviews, it tells you why we are a top workplace year after year.”
NFM Lending prides itself on its exceptional culture. The company fills the employees’ work environment with encouragement and teamwork, building a positive workplace that rewards both commitment and performance. Employees are also encouraged to voice their questions and concerns directly to management so that they can be addressed promptly and correctly. Managers often surprise staff members for their birthdays, and the company holds contests, holiday celebrations, and other initiatives to encourage collaboration and show employees their appreciation.
NFM Lending is consistently recognized for its company culture. These awards include: ‘50 Best Companies to Work For’ by Mortgage Executive Magazine; ‘Top Mortgage Employer’ by National Mortgage Professional Magazine; ‘Top Work Place’ by the Washington Post; and a winner of the “Best Places to Work” by Baltimore Business Journal. NFM Lending is proud of these accomplishments and the work its team does to make it a Top Workplace.
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, December 1, 2020— NFM Lending is pleased to honor Major Jessica Astorga, USAF, Retired, as the NFM Salute for December 2020.
From a young age, Astorga knew she wanted to become a nurse and serve in the Air Force. After graduating from the University of Auburn with a nursing degree, the Alabama native was commissioned as an Officer in 2000.
She was deployed to Iraq in 2007, and later to Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011. In both deployments, she worked as a critical care nurse in combat theater hospitals, where she worked long hours tending to the injured. However, not all the wounded she cared for were her comrades. Sometimes they were local civilians or even prisoners of war. Astorga recalls, “I had a lot of moral battles and ethical battles while I was there and deployed in those areas. [They’re] human beings as well and when I became a nurse in the military, we take care of all casualties, no matter if it’s our soldiers or the enemy.” If being a nurse in a combat zone wasn’t challenging enough, Astorga also had to navigate a still very male-dominated profession. She said, “I felt like I had to continuously prove myself to my peers, my male counterparts, [and] my male superiors.”
When she returned from her second deployment, Astorga had trouble finding her place within society, and it took a toll on her mentally. Her struggle with depression led her to an early medical retirement in 2013. Following her military career, Astorga worked as a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) at two private hospitals in Dayton, OH. The emotional pain she endured was still difficult to bear, and she sought support from various Veteran-oriented programs. One day, she came across Women Veterans Network, or WoVeN. WoVeN is a nationwide community of female Veterans whose mission is to provide support and sisterhood to its members. The ideals of WoVeN resonated with Astorga so much that she decided to become a Peer Leader and started a chapter in the Dayton area. Volunteering with WoVeN gave Astorga a new purpose in life: to let women Veterans know they matter and have not been forgotten.
While deployed, Astorga would often watch Peyton Manning’s football games in the breakroom during her downtime. Watching her favorite player gave her a sense of comfort and home during her overseas assignments. On November 8th, Astorga was surprised with a video call from Peyton Manning, who thanked her for her service and her work with WoVeN as a part of the NFL’s “Salute to Service”. She has also been featured in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ national campaign, I Am Not Invisible, which recognizes female Veterans for their contributions.
Astorga still resides in Dayton, OH. She enjoys spending time with her family and connecting with her WoVeN sisters. Along with lifting others up, Astorga is taking more time to care for herself. “I had been taking care of so many people in my life–patients, family–that I decided I [want to] take care of myself right now,” she says. “That’s where I am; working on a lot of things for [my] mental and physical health, as the years of being in a stressful work environment and all of that I’ve done have, of course, affected me physically.” Astorga is currently training to become a Veteran’s yoga instructor so she can help fellow Veterans with physicality through meditation and mindfulness.
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” will be featured on the website with a biography and information about his or her service, and NFM Lending will donate to a military or Veteran non-profit in the Salute’s name.
NFM Lending is proud to donate $2,500 to Veterans Yoga Project on behalf of Astorga. 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 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, November 2, 2020— NFM Lending is pleased to honor Corporal Jamie Willis, USA, Retired, as the NFM Salute for November 2020.
Jamie Willis joined the U.S. Army in 1989 as a Cavalry Scout. During his military career, Willis was a member of 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry in Korea, and 2nd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment. In 1991, he served in Saudi Arabia with A Troop in the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment as part of Operation Desert Shield, and later in Operation Desert Storm. Willis remembers, “It was a rough time, not really knowing when we first deployed how long we would be there [or] what the situation would actually be like. After seeing what happened on the news before we deployed–the threat of chemical warfare–and just freshly being in the Army, it was a real terrifying time.” During this tour, Willis was severely injured in an accident with a Bradley Fighting Vehicle. His back sustained the most damage, and Willis was told he may never walk again. Miraculously, he began to take his first steps a few weeks after. The pain from the injury, however, did eventually force him into an early medical retirement in 1998.
Due to his specialized role in the military and his limited physical range, it was difficult to reintegrate into civilian life. During the first several years, Willis took jobs that were less physically demanding, including: gas station clerk, school bus driver, mechanic, and a garbage man. In 2006, he reentered the military world and worked on the MRAP (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle project. He started MRAP University as an instructor in Texas, and later traveled the U.S. and overseas training service members until 2014.
Eventually, the mental and physical injuries Willis received during combat caught up to him, manifesting themselves in an extremely painful way. Willis suffered with chronic back pain from his accident and was considered 100% disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The combination of being unable to work and PTSD left Willis often contemplating suicide. His life completely changed when he decided to find an alternative to the unstable, “ugly” metal canes issued by the VA. After researching a better, more attractive cane, Willis reached out to Free Canes for Veterans, a volunteer project based in Florida. When he was told the waitlist to receive a hand-carved cane was full, he was contacted by the head of the organization, Oscar Morris, who taught Willis how to make his own.
Willis soon made his very first cane, but he did not want to stop with himself. The experience of handcrafting a mobility tool made him realize other Veterans deserved to have a cane that gave them a sense of dignity. With his newfound sense of purpose, Willis started his own branch, Canes for Veterans Central Texas, in 2016. Since then, Willis and his team of volunteers have made over 400 canes distributed to Veterans and civilians in the U.S. and around the world. The canes are made from scraps of wood, either donated or found by Willis. In January, news of his cane-making went nationwide as he had asked for local Christmas trees to be donated to him instead of discarded. Before he knew it, Willis had thousands of trees donated from across the country.
Willis says the symbolism of using Christmas trees to make canes was told to him by Morris. He explained, “The Christmas tree and the Veteran are very similar. If you think about the Christmas tree and the service member, they’re treated the same. They’re taken when they’re young, they’re decorated up, they’re used, and at the end of the season, they’re both thrown away. I’m taking that Christmas tree and I’m stripping it back down and starting over. Then I turn it into a cane. It’s solid again–it’s strong–and I give it to the Veteran as a symbol; to show them you’re still solid, you’re still strong, you’re still worth something. When you explain that to them, they stand a little taller. They puff their chest out a little bit and it just makes them feel good about themselves.”
Willis resides in Copperas Cove, TX, where he is keeping himself busy with the organization. He hopes to make and give away 1,000 canes in 2020.
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” will be featured on the website with a biography and information about his or her service, and NFM Lending will donate to a military or Veteran non-profit in the Salute’s name.
NFM Lending is proud to donate $5,000 to Canes for Veterans Central Texas on behalf of Willis. NFM looks forward to the opportunity to continue to honor military and Veterans through the NFM Salute initiative.
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, October 28, 2020 — NFM Lending is pleased to announce that it has received the 2020 George B. Vashon Innovator Award by the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA). The award was accepted by NFM General Counsel, LaTasha Rowe during the MCCA’s “Creating Pathways to Diversity Conference” held virtually on October 27, 2020.
The MCCA is the premier source of research and knowledge on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. The annual award, named for George B. Vashon, the first African American attorney licensed in New York and first admitted to practice in front of the Supreme Court, is given to companies that show a commitment to hiring and advancing diverse attorneys.
“On behalf of the legal department and the leadership team at NFM Lending, I’d like to thank MCCA for this incredible honor,” said Rowe, NFM’s General Counsel since 2010. “As lawyers we have the power to influence, innovate and develop lasting changes in the world around us. Like Mr. Vashon, we cannot accept societal injustices experienced by our fellow citizens just because of their race or sex. We are obligated to use this gift to level the playing field.
As half of NFM Lending’s workforce are women and minorities, Rowe knows firsthand how much an organization can thrive when diversity and inclusion are present.
“Differing cultures and backgrounds are the foundation of the country,” said Rowe. “I am proud NFM Lending takes diversity seriously and creates an environment where the main goal is to be the best we can for our consumers. I firmly believe that we outpace our peers in serving women and minorities because our company very much looks like the communities we serve. We continue to reach beyond NFM’s walls to better our neighborhoods, promote the mortgage industry as a career path for women and minorities and ensure fair lending remains a priority for our consumers.”
Rowe has recently been recognized in Modern Counsel Magazine and was a featured speaker at the Women, Influence & Power in Law (WIPL) event in Washington, D.C, where she educated attendees on how developing a good relationship with regulators can lead to a more productive examination experience. She has also been named among the “Elite Women in Mortgage” by Mortgage Professional Magazine.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, October 15, 2020 — NFM Lending is pleased to announce that it has been ranked a 2020 Top Workplace in the Washington, D.C. area by the Washington Post. This is the sixth consecutive year NFM Lending has received this award.
NFM Lending received the award at a virtual ceremony held Tuesday, October 13, 2020. Founded in 1998, NFM Lending has grown from a small mortgage brokerage in Baltimore to a lender with locations throughout the United States, including multiple locations in the D.C. area.
“6 years in a row!” said Greg Sher, Chief Business Development Officer. “This honor has become an annual affirmation that we are doing the right things by our employees. It’s also an important reminder that our quest for happy employees begins anew. Our employees mean everything to us. The fact that the feeling is reciprocated is worth its weight in gold.”
Each year, the Washington Post distributes a survey to the employees of Washington, D.C. area companies asking them to evaluate their workplaces. The survey asks participants to rank employers on quality of leadership, work-life balance, pay and benefits, and more. NFM Lending ranked among the top 35 midsized companies that made the final cut for inclusion on the Top Workplace list.
NFM Lending is consistently recognized for its exceptional company culture. These awards include: ‘50 Best Companies to Work For’ by Mortgage Executive Magazine; ‘Top Mortgage Employer’ by National Mortgage Professional Magazine; ‘Top Work Place’ by The Baltimore Sun; and a winner of the “Best Places to Work” by Baltimore Business Journal. NFM Lending is proud of these accomplishments and the work its team does to make it a Top Workplace.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, October 13, 2020— NFM Lending is proud to donate 125 laptops to the Greater Baltimore Urban League (GBUL) to support underprivileged students in Baltimore City and Baltimore County during the COVID-19 pandemic. For every dollar that employees contributed to the cause, NFM made a matching donation.
Due to safety precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, schools in Maryland and across the country are implementing distance learning this year. Unfortunately, many school-aged children in the Baltimore area have no means to virtually connect to their classes. The laptops will help bridge the digital divide that disproportionately affects low-income and minority communities.
“We are presented opportunities to give in our lifetime, but none are more important than providing a gift to a child in need,” said Madison Grey, Human Resources Director. “COVID-19 has claimed many lives; we cannot allow it to harm our children’s future too. The NFM Lending Family is proud to partner with Greater Baltimore Urban League to provide laptops for underserved students. We want to be part of the solution for the educational gap that is pervasive in these communities by empowering our youths to overcome economic inequity. We thank our generous employees who donated and are grateful to GBUL for their commitment to the neighborhoods that are challenged and need a hand. There is no better time than now to make a difference.”
The Greater Baltimore Urban League’s mission is to empower African Americans and minorities by promoting civil rights, financial independence, and education. One of their objectives is to foster educational equity, and NFM is pleased to partner with the GBUL to help achieve this goal.
“Due to (NFM’s) kindness and generosity, we will have the ability to continue our services during this very unusual time,” said GBUL President and CEO, Tiffany Majors. “Currently we continue to provide support to our youth virtually, mental health support to youth and adults in need, one on one consulting support and workshops to small businesses, workforce development for our returning citizens population and making PPE kits for essential workers. Your philanthropy at this juncture in the development of a “Better Space” for all and Greater Baltimore Urban League, greatly accelerates our progress toward this ambitious aim.”
NFM Lending is proud to support many charities and non-profits focused on the wellbeing of children and improving their lives. NFM has also been involved in charitable efforts with The Ronald McDonald House Charities Maryland, Mickie’s Miracles, JAFCO, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, to name a few.
For more information about NFM Lending’s charitable work, click here.
About NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, October 6, 2020— NFM Lending is proud to be a Sponsor for the 16th annual BARCStoberfest virtual 5k run and one-mile walk and festival on October 23-25, 2020. The event will benefit the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS). This is NFM Lending’s second year sponsoring the event.
BARCS is Maryland’s largest animal shelter and pet adoption center. All proceeds will support the more than 12,000 animals that come through their doors each year that require shelter, food, and medical care. It will also enable them to remain a vital resource to our community through their innovative programs. Funding is more critical than ever, as their fundraising efforts have fallen without the ability to host in-person events due to the COIVD crisis. This event will be completely virtual and will spread out over the course of the weekend, including the 5k run and one-mile walk and costume contest.
“NFM Lending is once again proud to be a sponsor of this year’s BARCStoberfest,” said Gene DiPaula, Vice President of Communications at NFM. “Even though the festival is virtual this year, it sounds like they have a lot of fun activities lined up to raise money for a very worthy cause. Every pet deserves to feel safe and secure and be part of a loving home. The work that BARCS does to make that happen, all the while taking care of those animals while in transition, is admirable and inspiring. We’re excited to partner with BARCS to make that happen.”
NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, October 1, 2020— NFM Lending is pleased to honor Captain Johnnie Ashe, USMC, Retired Captain, as the NFM Salute for October 2020.
Johnnie Ashe was born in 1948 and raised in Richmond, Virginia along with his older brother, Arthur. Like many younger siblings, Ashe admired his brother, who showed an early giftedness for academics and tennis. At a young age, Ashe knew Arthur was destined to change the world for the better. Though both brothers were involved with tennis, Arthur decided to pursue it seriously. Succeeding in tennis would be his ticket out of racially segregated Richmond and give him a platform to speak out against injustice.
By 1965, the nation was restless with racial strife and polarization over the Vietnam Conflict. Wanting to prove his own worth, Ashe enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 and was soon sent to Vietnam. He served with the 1st Service Regiment and the 3rd Marine Amphibious Force.
In 1967, Ashe was nearing the end of his tour, but was concerned about his brother’s safety. Arthur was also serving in the military as an Army lieutenant performing data processing at West Point. Arthur had 15 months left in his contract, but now that Johnnie was back, it became more likely Arthur could get sent to Vietnam. Ashe had heard of the so-called Sullivan Rule. While unofficial, the military discouraged brothers from serving in major conflicts at the same time. So, in 1968 during the height of the Vietnam Conflict, Johnnie requested to take another tour of duty and only told his father the real reason for his reenlistment – to avoid his brother having to go to Vietnam.
Arthur Ashe went on to become the first African American man to win at the US Open in 1968, the Australian Open in 1970, and Wimbledon in 1975. Johnnie recalled, “He called me at the barracks. What he said to me was…in a sense provocative for him, but it also told me that he had realized his responsibility. He said, ‘I’m a champion now. When I speak, people will listen.’” Arthur left not only a legacy in the tennis world but also made a global impact with his civil rights and AIDS awareness activism. Of his brother, Ashe said, “There had to be someone who could show the rest of the world that we as a people are capable of doing things other than just entertaining and playing sports, because in those days that was the big thing that most people felt that we were good for.”
Ashe made a career of the Marines, serving for 20 years and retiring as a Captain. Ashe looks back on his time with the military with gratitude, saying, “I got to meet some fantastic individuals. I was able to rise in the ranks pretty easily. I was exposed to people from all over the world, different thoughts. The time that I spent in Okinawa and in the Philippines was definitely rewarding.” He now resides in Port St Lucie, Florida with his family.
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” will be featured on the website with a biography and information about his or her service, and NFM Lending will donate to a non-profit in the Salute’s name.
NFM Lending is proud to donate $2,500 to One Love Lenny Simpson Tennis and Education Fund on behalf of Ashe. 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 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.
LINTHICUM, MD, September 1, 2020— NFM Lending is pleased to honor retired Navy SEAL, Ray “Cash” Care, as the NFM Salute for September 2020.
Care is no stranger to adversity; it is a force that has shaped him his entire life. When Care was just eleven years old, his father was murdered. As a teenager, Care struggled with substance abuse, anger, and emotional pain. “I did a self-reflection drill at 19 and realized I was turning into the man that was murdered… Right then and there [was] one of the first of what I call ‘gut checks’ in my life. Those pinnacle moments where I said now is the time to change me. And that’s what I did.” His life changed forever when he joined the Navy in 1992 and learned about Navy SEALs. Looking for a challenge, Care became determined to become one.
Care achieved his goal of becoming a SEAL in 1995. Out of the 138 people in his class, only 16 completed the training. Care recalls the hardest moment of BUD training being the 50-meter breath hold. “I can’t lie. I was scared. I was watching people pass out, black out. My turn to go, I went, I failed the first time. They get you out of the water and they literally let you just go do it again…Sometimes you have to step up or step off. [It] was one of those gut checks. And here I am, obviously you know the result. Once you accomplish something like that in your life, the mindset that you have is ‘I can do anything’. That was one of the pinnacle moments in my life when I said, ‘Nothing can stop me.’”
From there, his military career took him on multiple tours of duty and overseas missions as a member of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two (SDV-2). He survived a mortar attack during one mission in Iraq, which he describes as being “one of the most traumatic/inspirational” days of his life. The SEALs gave Care an unbreakable community and emboldened him to fight through fear and pain. After 12 years of serving in the Navy, Care left the SEALs in 2004 to work on assignment for the CIA, which he did for 14 years.
Care has not slowed down since re-entering civilian life. He founded CONQUER, a leadership and team-building training program. Using the skills and techniques he learned in the military, Care helps people improve their physical fitness and mental endurance. Other programs he is involved in include LTD Project, which gives businesses the tools to work more efficiently, and The Project, a 75-hour bootcamp intensive. He also cohosts a podcast called The Overcome and Conquer Show, where he interviews inspiring individuals who have overcome challenges in their lives. Care lives in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife Tricia and their daughter Nyla. Their son, Michael, is following his father’s military tradition and currently serves in the U.S. Air Force.
According to Care, being a SEAL is all about attitude, and believes anyone can harness that same mentality to improve their lives. “Family, fitness, finance and faith; my four F-bombs to success. I put family at the top and I put faith at the bottom. Faith is the foundation of everything. Faith is not religion. You wanna be successful, it starts with you. Believe in yourself. Get up every morning like you won the lottery and attack life,” says Care.
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” will be featured on the website with a biography and information about his or her service, and NFM Lending will donate to a military or Veteran non-profit in the Salute’s name.
NFM Lending is proud to donate $2,500 to Gary Sinise Foundation on behalf of Care. 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 41 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. NFM Lending has firmly planted itself in the home loan marketplace as “America’s Common Sense Residential Mortgage Lender.™” For more information about NFM Lending, visit www.nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.