Many Americans take to their backyards on the Fourth of July, grilling up hotdogs and hamburgers to honor the country’s independence.
But a group from State College will be pedaling away to honor the nation’s veterans.
The Freedom Ride was started in 2011 by a few people who just wanted to ride their bikes as a way to reunite for the holiday. Just a few years later, the event is aiming to raise over $20,000 and has a couple hundred participants set to bike 10 miles to support veterans.
All of the profits from the Freedom Ride go to the James E. Van Zandt Medical Center, an Altoona-based veteran hospital that recently opened up a facility in State College.
Fred Egerer, a lieutenant colonel who served in the Marine Corps for 20 years and lives in State College, is set to participate in the ride this year with his wife and children. He pedaled in the Freedom Ride last year and fell in love with the event and what it stands for.
“I was talking with Jay Paterno and he and I were discussing veterans issues. He said I had to go down and do this Freedom Ride,” Egerer says. “It was really cool because of how everybody was so focused on the goodness of America and those who have served. One hundred percent is donated so it’s pretty much pro bono, and that’s pretty outstanding.”
Egerer is a big fan of the guys behind the Freedom Ride because of their passion for patriotism. As a veteran himself, the cause behind the Freedom Ride hits home.
“It’s just a neat kind of homegrown family event. Everybody gets very patriotic and dressed up,” Egerer says. “It’s just a nice leisurely ride with crowds cheering for you and chanting USA.”
Eric Sloss is one of the organizers behind the ride.
“The first year it was just kind of an idea. There are seven board members and we all grew up together,” he says. “It started as us just messing around and sending messages on Twitter and we decided to show our support for our veterans and ride our bikes through town. From there, we got about 20 people together and when we finished we decided we might as well try and do something with it next year, and the Freedom Ride for born from there.”
The ride had just 20 or so participants in its first year. In the second year, 75 people took part and raised $4000 for the medical center. On Saturday, Sloss is expecting over 200 riders and hopes to raise $20,000, which would put the ride over $40,000 total in its short existence.
“You get so much in the news today about the country being bad for doing one thing or another and there’s so much negativity going around,” Egerer says. “This is a phenomenal country and it’s always taking care of its own, so it makes me proud to be a part of something like this.”
Egerer is a disabled veteran himself, and he has been treated at the Altoona-based facility, so he understands the need for fundraising more than most. Along with his wife Janet, who is an owner of PYP Studio in State College, the Egerers are sponsoring the Freedom Ride this year.
“I’ve actually been to Altoona and they were unbelievably helpful in my transition getting out of the Marines,” Egerer says. “A lot of these medical problems are lifetime afflictions, and continuously providing an avenue of funding and support for them is important. I rode with a few veterans last time and it was great to see their faces.”
You can visit the Freedom Ride’s website for more information on participating in the ride or donating to the cause.
Popular Stories:
Judges Reload and Fire New Volley in Right to Know Dispute
Paterno Estate Accuses NCAA of Stalling Trial, Improper Court Procedures
New Judge Issues First Order in Spanier-Freeh Lawsuit
Police Targeting Aggressive Drivers Over Holiday Weekend
From Drama to Jam Sessions, Independence Celebrations Aplenty
As McGloin Starts Year 3 in the NFL, He’s Still the Constant Amidst Change
Penn State Football: Talent Back En Route To Happy Valley
Penn State Football: Thursday Mailbag: Breneman, Fundamentals and Realignment
