The third annual Freedom Fundraiser, taking place on Friday, July 3. Wicked Warren’s and Jefferson DeFrees Family Center (JDFC) have partnered with Caring for Life (CFL) for the event. Festivities will begin at noon with live entertainment throughout the day. Vendors will line the streets, and local shops and restaurants will be open.

The Wicked Warren’s Freedom 5K began in 2024, growing out of the Beer Runs hosted by Drew (Erlandson), the Brewer. Once each month on a Saturday morning, runners and walkers gather at Wicked Warren’s, complete a 3-mile run or 1-mile walk, and return to enjoy fellowship, appetizers, beer and seltzers for adults, and house-made root beer and ginger ale for participants under 21. The next Beer Run will take place on June 20 at 10 a.m. Everyone is welcome, regardless of age or ability.

As the Beer Runs grew, participants began asking for a special Fourth of July event. At the same time, local business owners wanted to bring Independence Day activities back to downtown Warren. Those ideas came together to create the first Freedom Fundraiser in July 2024, which benefited the Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua.

In 2025, the event honored Elliott Bevevino, who was diagnosed with a spontaneous case of NF2 when he was only six months old. Erlandson created a special brew, “Elliott’s Elixir,” with proceeds supporting NF2 BioSolutions, a Pennsylvania-based, patient-led nonprofit dedicated to funding research and supporting individuals and families affected by NF2. Organizers soon realized that beer sales alone would not generate the level of support they hoped to provide, so the Freedom Fundraiser expanded into a larger community fundraising effort.

Photo by JP Photography Funds were raised for Elliott Bevevino who benefits from Caring For Life, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer organization that provides financial, logistical, and emotional support to families with critically ill children. The organization reimburses families for medical expenses, medical equipment, travel costs, and lodging associated with hospital appointments and extended stays.

Wanting to include something for children, organizers found inspiration in the “Turtles” classroom from the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center (JDFC), who are often seen visiting downtown businesses. Their involvement led to the creation of the Kids Dash, which quickly became a favorite part of the event.

After considering several deserving nonprofit organizations, organizers were deeply moved by the stories of local families caring for critically ill children and selected Caring for Life as this year’s beneficiary.

Since 2005, Caring for Life has registered 81 families and reimbursed more than $454,113 to Warren County families. The organization has also provided 89 emergency care packages to families whose children were flown to children’s hospitals during medical emergencies. In 2025 alone, 22 families received reimbursements totaling $27,964.

“We are tremendously grateful to the Freedom Fundraiser Committee for choosing Caring for Life as the beneficiary of the race,” said Darbee Harrington, president of Caring for Life.

The Phillips family shared the story of their daughter Lucy, whose journey highlights the challenges many local families face. In August 2022, after months of severe daily headaches, emergency room staff at Warren General Hospital performed a CT scan that revealed Lucy had a craniopharyngioma tumor. These rare tumors occur in approximately 0.5 to 2 people per million each year and account for only 5-10% of pediatric brain tumors. Although benign and slow growing, the tumor surrounded Lucy’s pituitary gland, requiring its removal during surgery. Now eight years old, Lucy lives with hypopituitarism, requiring multiple daily hormone replacements and ongoing medical care. Unfortunately, craniopharyngiomas have a high recurrence rate, and Lucy is among the 25-50% of patients whose tumor returned. She is currently living with her second craniopharyngioma. In February 2025, Lucy underwent Gamma Knife radiation treatment, which successfully reduced the tumor’s size. While her condition is currently stable, her family remains aware that changes can occur at any time.

The family of Lucy Phillips has received support from Caring for Life during her medical journey. Freedom 5K will be held to assist the families of Lucy Phillips and Elliott Bevevino.

The festivities begin with packet pickup at noon on July 3. An afternoon of live entertainment will reach into the evening with a Kids Dash to be held at 6 p.m. Children ages 10 and under are invited to participate in the Kids Dash which is grouped by age with 1-2 year old children in a 25-yard dash; ages 3-4 in a 50-yard dash; ages 5-6 in a 100-yard dash, and ages 7-10 in a 100-yard dash.

Next in the lineup is the Freedom Run/Walk which begins at 7 p.m. at the downtown fountain. Participants are encouraged to show their patriotic spirit by wearing red, white, and blue athletic attire. Concluding the evening will be a performance by Of a Feather, a dynamic Nashville duo blending classic Southern rock, country, and Americana music.

“At Wicked Warren’s, we believe businesses have a responsibility to give back to the communities that support them,” said Rob Roth, CEO of Wicked Warren’s. “The Freedom Fundraiser represents the very best of Warren–neighbors helping neighbors, families creating memories together, and an entire community rallying around an important cause. We are honored to partner with Caring for Life this year and look forward to welcoming everyone for an evening filled with purpose, patriotism, and celebration. Together, we can make a lasting impact.”

Registration for the 5K Run/Walk is $40. The Kids Dash registration fee is $10 for race participation only and $25 for participation plus a commemorative T-shirt. Participants can register online or make donations through Race Roster, Freedom Fundraiser. Kids Dash participants may also register in person at Wicked Warren’s or Jefferson DeFrees Family Center. Cash only will be accepted for in-person registrations and donations.

Businesses and individuals can support the event through sponsorships by level: Red Sponsor at $500 with the company sign displayed along the race route and log on the event T-shirt along with media mention. A White Sponsor at $250 with the company logo on the event T-shirt and a media mention. A Blue Sponsor at $100 will receive a media mention.

Current sponsors include Pennsylvania Energy Company, LLC, Reishore Clothing, AC&C Disposal, Hamlin Bank, Lindell Farms and McNeal Woodwork. Prizes and gift basket donations have been made by the Erie Zoological Society, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Senator John Heinz History Center, AACA Museum Inc., Chloe’s Creamery, Gaughn’s Drug Store, Goat Fort, and Hamlin Bank.

The Warren High School Career Center and Gregory Waterman for building the event’s Victory Podium.

For more information, email info@wickedwarrens.com or newwestdesign@hotmail.com. Event updates, announcements and packet pickup information is posted on the Wicked Warren’s Facebook page.