Mission Statement Freedom’s Run
Freedom’s Run is a “Grand Idea” born in a small shop in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. An idea was born to put on an event that brought
awareness of the health needs of the citizens in fighting obesity, promoting outdoor activity; and in the process discovering the
rich history of the area….a Race for Health and Heritage. The beneficiaries of the race are the “Wild and Wonderful Trails for Every
Child” project and The Washington’s Way West Heritage Alliance. The Eastern Area Health Education Center is our non-profit partner
to help us achieve our bold goals.
Wild and Wonderful Trails for Every Child
Over 40 community partners have come together as a coalition in a project titled “Wild and Wonderful Trails for Every Child”. Our goal
is to build a nature trail and community garden at every school and park in the county. Our fundraising and volunteer activities will
support accessible after school programs on the local trails to build family fitness, teach nutrition through “edible” gardens, and
hopefully reattach children back to nature. The initiative will designate safe routes to school for walking and biking, gather and
distribute donor bikes to put kids and bikes on these routes- and over time hopefully change the culture of how the community lives.
The vision is a ring of trails initially focused around the school and expanding and connecting as the community sees the value not
just in health, but in the aesthetic economic impact a pedestrian and bike friendly community brings.
Key partners from National Park Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, National Conservation and Training Center, Potomac Audubon
Society, County Commissioners Office, Jefferson County School Board, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation, Harpers Ferry Family Medicine,
multiple outdoor education specialists, Shepherd University, local business, and youth programs are united in this effort. Freedom’s
Run will draw needed attention and funds to the collaborative work.
Jefferson County was once a rural and farming county, and now is transitioning to an exurb of Baltimore and DC with the high obesity
rates the state is renowned for. West Virginia is the number two obese state in the nation. We are also at risk of losing our sense
of place- that true understanding of the richness of the land we live on. Freedom’s Run models a new kind of collaborative between
the National Parks, the history rich bordering small towns, and health community to take to the trails. Freedom’s Run will allow children
and their families to raise money for their own individual school trails and gardens with an event that promotes physical activity
and attachment to our rich history.
In a 1961 conference of Physical Activity and Youth, John F. Kennedy observed: “We do not want in the United States a nation of spectators.
We want a nation of participants in the vigorous life. This is not a matter which can be settled, of course, from Washington. It is
really a matter which starts with each individual family…” For those who live in West Virginia and share its sense of “place”, the
family extends to the community.
The Washington’s Way West Heritage Alliance
The Washington’s Way West Heritage Alliance has been working for two years to build partnerships throughout the region to create a
National Heritage Area. This National Heritage Area we envision could be the most visited National Heritage Area of the 49 already
established in the United States. Our story begins with the land and the river, their formation and habitation. It traces the path
of settlement, and migration, early transportation along and across the rivers. It tells the story of commercial trade from fur trading
to canal building and shipment of agricultural and coal to the port of Georgetown. The story does not end it continues, and with a
National Heritage Area we not only celebrate our heritage but bring history into the present to create a sustainable future. A future
where sustainable economic development can take root in land that saw the creation of the many institutions we as Americans can take
pride in.
The Freedom’s Run events take their courses through land and rivers that have seen major historical events that go to the very foundations
of our nation and contribute to who and what we Americans call our home. The five races cross two states, three historic towns, four
National Parks, and historical sites that are commemorated in the 150th events of the American Civil War. The course routes trace
the path of history and the shoreline of both the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers that were the corridors of migration of Indian tribes,
white settlers, and seekers of a navigable route to the West.
How Can You Help?
- Runners can choose one of these causes as your cause and ask others to contribute to your efforts in training for and completing the
event.
- You can make a donation directly to our secure PayPal site or by sending a check to Eastern Area Health Education Center, c/o Freedom’s
Run; 2500 Foundation Way, Martinsburg WV 25401. Indicate which (or both) causes you would like to contribute towards (you can use
this form). This is a charitable contribution and we will send you a confirmation receipt.
- Tell others about the event and its causes.
- Get your family out on the trails and learn about the history in vigorous outdoor play