Heather’s Story

The Heather A. Freeman Foundation (HAFF) was established in January 2008, following the tragic death of Heather due to a motorcycle accident on August 19, 2007.

Heather Ann Flynn was born Nov. 30, 1974, the treasured daughter of Patrick and Suzanne Post Flynn, and amazing sister to Mike and Mandy. She graduated from Carthage High School and then from Jefferson Community College in 1995 with a degree in liberal arts. Heather married Robert C. Freeman III in 2000, becoming a second mom to their daughter Bailey.  Heather was a person everyone would want to have as a friend. Kindness, empathy and understanding came naturally to her spirit.  Just knowing Heather made you want to be a better person. Her enthusiasm and energy was infectious. Everything Heather did was with passion and grace, from her sense of community to her love for her family, friends, and her puppy Finnegan.

Heather was an account sales executive for Time Warner Cable in Watertown. She was an active member of the Sunrise Rotary and a board member for Big Brothers Big Sisters, T-PACC (Tobacco Prevention, Awareness, and Cessation Coalition of Jefferson County) and Hospice of Jefferson County.

Since the inception of HAFF, the reception from the community and those who loved Heather has been monumental. We realized how influential Heather was to so many people and knew we needed to continue in sharing Heather’s spirit.  HAFF is supported by many generous private donations, numerous dedicated volunteers and the great success of our ongoing annual events. The HAFF mission statement  “to empower others to do the best they can in the pursuit of happiness” embodies how Heather truly lived.

As the Heather A. Freeman Foundation marks it's monumental 10th year we are proud to share that we have supported a multitude of local programs.  The Lucy Colello Playground, the Heather A. Freeman Scholarship at Carthage High School, Children’s Miracle Network, Salvation Army, Community Action Planning Council (CAPC), North Country Children’s Clinic, Heather A. Freeman Butterfly House - NYS Zoo at Thompson Park, MDA, Samaritan Medical Center’s Breast Cancer Awareness, The HAFF Stage Notes Scholarship, Jefferson County SPCA, North Country Art's Council, The Wounded Warriors Project, The Garret Loomis Scholarship Fund, Disabled Persons Action Organization (DPAO), YMCA's Live Strong Program, Watertown Urban Mission Capitol Campaign and many others. We are also pleased to have sponsored 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, Free "Movie under the Stars", Snowtown USA, Taste of the Town, The North Country Goes Green Festival & NNY Festival of Trees . HAFF created the “Kicks for Kids” program where we have distributed over 900 pair of new shoes to school aged children in our community!