Freed to Run
Helping Seniors Stay Safely Housed
Now celebrating its 10th year, the Freed to Run Challenge is a community running and endurance event benefiting Jacksonville Area Legal Aid’s Shelter for Elders Endowment.
Join us on October 3, 2026, at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center for a variety of events, including a 12-Hour Challenge, 12-Hour Relay, 6-Hour Challenge, 3-Hour Challenge, 5K Ultra, and morning and evening 5K races.
Every mile helps support housing-related legal services for vulnerable seniors facing eviction, foreclosure, unsafe living conditions, housing instability, and other threats to stable housing throughout Northeast Florida.
Join us as we celebrate ten years of running, fundraising, and changing lives—one mile at a time.
Shelter for Elders Endowment
The Shelter for Elders Endowment provides a sustainable source of funding for housing-related legal services that help vulnerable seniors throughout Northeast Florida remain safely housed and independent.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid assists seniors facing eviction, foreclosure, reverse mortgage disputes, unsafe living conditions, housing discrimination, financial exploitation, scams, and other threats to stable housing. These services help older adults age in place with dignity and avoid homelessness or unnecessary institutional care.
As the senior population continues to grow, the demand for legal assistance often exceeds available funding. The Shelter for Elders Endowment helps ensure that critical services remain available for years to come.
As JALA President and CEO Jim Kowalski explains, “We run out of funding before we run out of seniors who need help.”
Every Mile Helps a Senior Stay Housed
Supporting Housing Stability for Northeast Florida Seniors
Thank You To Our Sponsors
$25,000 Shelter for Elders Presenting Sponsors
Matching Gift Opportunity
The Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund has committed to a $25,000 matching gift over each of the next two years if the event secures matching support from additional donors.
This challenge match is designed to strengthen long-term support for vulnerable seniors throughout Northeast Florida.
To learn more about sponsorship or major giving opportunities, contact Dennis Harrison at Dennis.Harrison@jaxlegalaid.org or (904) 356-8371 ext. 296.
$2.25 million raised for medical-legal partnership through Freed to Run marathon series.
The Freed to Run Challenge’s next goal is to establish a $2.25 million Shelter for Elders Endowment to support housing-related legal services for vulnerable seniors throughout Northeast Florida.
History of Freed to Run Challenge Fundraising
2023
Raised: $195,000
Delores Barr Weaver Match: $25,000
2023 Total:
$220,000
Endowment Total
$220,000
2024
Raised: $200,000
Delores Barr Weaver Match: $25,000
2024 Total:
$225,000
Endowment Total
$445,000
2025
Raised: $200,000
Delores Barr Weaver Match: $25,000
2025 Total:
$225,000
Endowment Total
$670,000
2026
2027
2028
History of Freed to Run Fundraising
2017
Raised: $100,000
Baptist Health Match: $125,000
2017 TOTAL: $225,000
Endowment Total
$225,000
2018
Raised: $180,000
Baptist Health Match: $225,000
2018 TOTAL: $405,000
Endowment Total
$630,000
2019
Raised: $180,000
Baptist Health Match: $225,000
2019 TOTAL: $405,000
Endowment Total
$1,035,000
2020
Raised: $180,000
Baptist Health Match: $225,000
2020 TOTAL: $405,000
Endowment Total
$1,440,000
2021
Raised: $180,000
Baptist Health Match: $225,000
2021 TOTAL: $405,000
Endowment Total
$1,845,000
2022
Raised: $180,000
Baptist Health Match: $225,000
2022 TOTAL: $405,000
Endowment Total
$2,250,000
JALA Endowment Stories & News
