What is Freedom River?
Freedom River is a space specifically for veterans, their families and active military to relax, reinvigorate, spend time with family or gather together. Our idea is simple: Deliver a place for veterans and their families to relax, recover and rejuvenate in Michigan’s beautiful outdoors.
Why is Freedom River important for veterans?
Michigan ranks No. 12 in the nation for veteran population. Freedom River’s goal is to provide a space that supports veterans in their needs while simultaneously:
- Promoting exercise
- Supporting healing
- Providing a community for veterans
- Advancing new opportunities in leadership and work
How does Freedom River serve veterans?
The Freedom River team is working to create an experience that will be unforgettable.
Beginning with lodging space for workshops, dining, entertainment and more. For those who plan on staying at Freedom River, plans call for family cabins, camping cabins and campsites with firepits, along with his and hers bathhouses.
From there is the fun stuff; activities. Freedom River will be a true “choose-your-adventure” space with activities for the entire family. Space will include tubing, rowboats, a zipline, softball field, pickleball courts, fire pits and more.
Where are you in fundraising?
Freedom River Inc. – 88-3542920 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation – we are collecting money via the link below:
Tell me about the leadership for this project?
Freedom River Director of Operations Jeff Yeakey went into the Army out of high school in 1988 in part that he could receive the GI Army College fund to pay for his schooling. While in the military, he was the leader of the M-60 team, received Expert Infantry Badge, received an expert Marksmanship rating, and graduated Airborne course. He was squad leader during Basic Training, graduated from Joint Readiness Training Center and Jungle Operation Training in Panama. He was called back to active duty by executive order; then mobilized for the War in the Persian Gulf as a 10th Mountain Division Infantryman.
After being called back for Desert Storm in 1991, Jeff received his BS in Exercise Physiology from MSU where he met his wife, Janna. While finishing his degree, he worked in the Physical Medicine and Rehab department at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. While working with the disabled veterans, Jeff discovered a huge disconnect between their overall well-being and opportunities for improvement.
In 1996, Jeff and his wife started their own personal training business where a lot of their care is for individuals coming off of physical therapy.
In 2003, their son Hunter was born. That same year Jeff was faced with a decision to give back. He was given $1000 from a personal training client to be used to give back to something in which he was passionate. Being an Army veteran, he felt strongly to give back to those that have given so much of themselves serving our country. From that Christmas forward, the Yeakey Family and their generous friends donate money and personal needs items to the long-term care unit at the Ann Arbor VA Medical Center. While Jeff dons a Santa suit along with Janna and Hunter in festive attire, they deliver Christmas gifts to the veterans. They haven’t missed a year since!
God has placed on their hearts that they can do so much more for veterans and their families. In February of 2021, they were given the opportunity to start pitching their dream of Freedom River to the community. They live right next to the property they were able to purchase with the $2 million they raised from personal donations. They are passionate about our veterans and their families having a sanctuary to relax, recover and rejuvenate. The property is 93.5 acres with .5 miles on the Huron River and 1200 feet on Gill Lake in Brighton, MI.