The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center and leadership from VA’s Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) selected Freedom Ride to recieve the 2022 American Spirit & Excellence Award for a Volunteer Community Organization.
This award is one of six top honors VA presents each year to donating organizations. The award is split into six different categories based on organizational classification. The Community Award recognizes an organization for selfless efforts in supporting their local VA Medical Center in caring for Veterans. The award also honors organizations who support specific projects supporting Veteran needs. Thank you to all of our sponsors and riders since we were founded who made this happen!
We ask for a donation of $20 for adults and $10 for children.
This year the registration experince will be differt, we are using Aplos which will allow to register multiple rider with one payment.
RegisterChildren 12 and under are required to wear a helmet, thanks for your cooperation. Please review the PA BIKE LAWS before participating in Freedom Ride.
Freedom Ride Golf Scramble, $400 per team, Friday May 24th @ Sinking Valley Coutry Club.
Register Golf TeamFeatured Sponsor: $5,000+ (Only 4 available)
$50 ,000 raised
$52 ,000 raised
$22 ,000 raised
$50 ,000 raised
$38 ,000 raised
$32 ,000 raised
$25 ,000 raised
$20,000 raised
$12,000 raised
$7,000 raised
$4,000 raised
The first ride
Freedom Ride is a patriotic bike ride on the 4th of July that raises money and donates 100% of the profit to the James E. Van Zandt Medical Center in Altoona, PA. In five years we have been able to raise over $100,000 for veterans!
Registation starts at 9AM
Ride starts at 10AM
To celebrate our freedom by coming together to ride free and proudly showing support for our great country and the men and women who have served to protect our freedom.
We have been able to help verterans at the James Van Zandt Medical Center by being involved in annual projects.
Projects include: raising money for funds to benefits veterans and their families; renovating the bus used to take residents to events; building a miniture golf course for residents, outpatients and visitors; updating the bingo system used by residents; purchasing indoor versions of bowling, bocce ball and horse shoes; wall of heros, Sheetz cards for voluteer drivers, residents Raystown trip, VA2K walk match, renovating several outdoor areas that can be used by residents, outpatients and visitors.
The ride starts and ends at the American Legion (1459 Lincoln Ave) in Tyrone, PA. The distance is approximately 10 miles.
Brought together by the common thread of growing up in Central PA a group of friends decorated their bikes and dressed in their best USA gear and rode from Tyrone to Tipton on July 4th.
The Freedom Ride board of directors is formed and the vets staying at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center are chosen to be the benefactors of Freedom Ride.
100 people met at Reservior Park in Tyrone to ride to Tipton and back. Following the ride a great picnic was held and awards were given out. 16 local business sponsored the event helping to raise $4,000 for the three veterans fund at the VA.
150 riders and 40 sponsors helped to raise $7,000. local legend Jay Paterno took part and caught Freedom Ride fever and has taken part each year since.
Freedom Ride grew too big for its location. The Tyrone American Legion became the host for the ride and 2015 was a huge success. We were able to raise $12,000 for the vets at the VA!
We became a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charity. View details
Despite the rain more than 200 people came out to ride. We were able to raise $20,000 to donate to the VA which was used to renovate a bus used to take the vets on day trips.
Over 350 riders came out to take part in the biggest and best ride to date. We were able to raise $25,000! The guys from the VA came down to visit and led the ride on the renovated bus!
Over 400 people came out to ride and help raise $32,000. The guys came down from the VA came celebrated the 4th with us and The Bicycle Shop joined in to help prep bikes for the ride. Our 6 year total as a charity hit the $100,000 mark!
450+ rider can out despite the blistering heat and helped us raise $38,000.
Freeom Ride expanded by introducing a golf event held the Friday before memorial day each year. 32 teams of four have fun at one of the best golf events in Central PA while raising money for a great cause.
Register Golf Team
