How you can support The 2001 American Freedom Ride

Empowering the Dreams of America's Youth

The American Freedom Ride and "The Great Big Teddy Bear Hug" are efforts to bring both emotional and financial support to the children who were so tragically affected by the terrorist attacks in September. Multiple organizations have embarked upon fundraising missions to attend to the immediate needs of the families, and we applaud those efforts from throughout the country.

In 15 - 18 years from today, many of the emotional hurts will have been soothed and healed and the horrid memories will begin to consume less and less of our time. However, many of the little one left behind due to the death of a parent will just be approaching the age to attend college. It is our desire to acknowledge that reality and take steps to be ready to address those needs. That is why these two events have been specifically aimed at addressing both the short-term emotional needs of the children as well as the long-term educational needs in the form of scholarships.

If you would like to make a donation to The American Freedom Ride Education Fund, please send your checks to:

The American Freedom Ride Education Fund

C/O The American Heritage Education Foundation

1845 East Valley Parkway
Escondido, CA 92027

Corporate Sponsors

The participants in The American Freedom Ride traveled across the United States, through approximately 28 states, in 19 days. Each of these patriotic individuals donated a great deal to the cause. We are now looking for companies throughout the country that would agree to step-up-to-the-plate and help keep the memory of the victims of the September 11th attacks alive.

Specific immediate needs include:

Airfare to/from New York City to Ontario, California for program organizers for media purposes
Nation-wide cellular phone service
A trailer to house the American Freedom Ride 9/11 Mobile Memorial
Silk-screened tee-shirts to sell as fundraisers for the scholarship fund
Recreational vehicles to act as a physical support and communications post for the AFR 9/11 Mobile Museum

The American Heritage Education Foundation (a California based 503(c) non-profit corporation) to provide scholarships for the children.

Other ways your company can support the children would include:

Become a corporate sponsor of The American Freedom Ride.
Ask local newspapers to publish the article carried by the Riverside Press Enterprise on October 4, 2001 (attached), regarding the efforts of the children in San Jacinto that led to this event.
Through the local media and at your locations across the country, encourage the children of your community to become involved in this “children’s crusade”.
Provide teddy bears “at cost” to your customers. Use banners to advertise your participation in both The American Freedom Ride and “The Great Big Teddy Bear Hug” programs.
Collect the teddy bears for pick up by the Freedom Riders as they pass near your community.
Promote and accept donations to The American Freedom Ride Education Fund at he American Heritage Education Foundation (a California 503(c) non-profit corporation). These funds will be invested in mutual funds and made available, in the form of educational scholarships, for the children.
Arrange for someone from your office, or locally known personalities, to meet the caravan at one of the hundreds of scheduled stops across the country.