Rent-to-own News - Aaron's Freedom Ride commemorating 9/11 begins today

Rent-to-own merchant Aaron's is sponsoring the Aaron's Freedom Ride, in which 20-plus Georgia firefighters and public safety officials will ride bicycles from Atlanta to New York to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

The event will pay tribute to those who lost their lives as first responders during the attacks, Aaron's said.

The Aaron's Freedom Ride will depart from the Terminus Building in Atlanta at 9 a.m. on August 26 and the 16-day cycling tour will span 1,035 miles and culminate in a remembrance service at Ground Zero in New York City.

The idea for the Aaron's Freedom Ride originated in 2009 with Atlanta firefighter Mike Palmeri, an avid cyclist. All 20-plus cyclists participating in the ride are Georgia firefighters and public safety officials. In addition to honoring the victims and survivors of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the mission of the ride is to raise funds and awareness for the Atlanta Fire Foundation and a New York City 9/11 Fund.

The Freedom Riders will cycle an average of 100 miles per day and will stop in fifteen cities during their journey to New York City, with a rest day scheduled in Washington D.C. At the end of each day, the riders will be greeted by local members of the American Fire Service. The Aaron's Freedom Ride schedule is as follows:

Day 1 August 26 Atlanta to Ellijay, GA

Day 2 August 27 Ellijay, GA to Cherokee, NC

Day 3 August 28 Cherokee, NC to Mt. Pisgah, NC

Day 4 August 29 Mt. Pisgah, NC to Little Switzerland, NC

Day 5 August 30 Little Switzerland, NC to Glendale Springs, NC

Day 6 August 31 Glendale Springs, NC to Rocky Knob, VA

Day 7 September 1 Rocky Knob, VA to Peaks of Otter, VA

Day 8 September 2 Peaks of Otter, VA to Waynesboro, VA

Day 9 September 3 Waynesboro, VA to Culpeper, VA

Day 10 September 4 Culpeper, VA to Washington, D.C.

Day 11 September 5 Rest Day in Washington, D.C.

Day 12 September 6 Washington, D.C. to Denton, MD

Day 13 September 7 Denton, MD to Cape May, NJ

Day 14 September 8 Cape May, NJ to Atlantic City, NJ

Day 15 September 9 Atlantic City, NJ to Long Branch, NJ

Day 16 September 10 Long Branch, NJ to New York City

"As we approach the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, it is crucial for our nation to remain committed to preserving the memory of all those who have perished while ensuring our freedom and safety," said Robin Loudermilk, CEO of Aaron's, Inc. "Aaron's is proud to support the efforts of some of Georgia's finest in their dedication to commemorate the victims and survivors of the September 11 attacks. It is our hope that the community will gather in each city the Aaron's Freedom Ride passes through to cheer on the riders and to pay tribute to all who gave their lives on 9/11."

To learn more about the Aaron's Freedom Ride and how you can help, visit www.FreedomRide2011.com. You can also follow the riders' progress via Facebook and Twitter.