Promo Video
About Us
My name is Mike Roberson and I am a private pilot. One Tuesday in January I was out flying and as I left the airport I glanced over at Vidant Medical Center and thought “we should carry sick children flying”. I continued with my day and just put that thought away. For two days I didn’t think anymore about this idea. Well, Thursday night at 2 am I woke from a solid sleep with only one thing on my mind “taking sick children flying”! So, I listened! The next morning I made three phone calls with the third one connecting me to Kimber Stone with Riley’s Army. After just a few minutes she was just as excited about this as I am.
After several meetings and sharing this idea with almost everybody I came in contact with, we set the stage for our first event at South Oaks Aerodrome in Winterville, NC. I talked with the local EAA chapter and they too shared in my excitement. They immediately offered to provide the planes and the fuel to make this day happen. I left the meeting thinking WOW! We really have a great opportunity to touch the lives of people that are going through a tough season in their life. The children are all battling some type of chronic or critical illness, though we may not be able to heal their sickness, through laughter and fun we can make it less painful for the entire family. As the name implies, Free To Be Me is a day for the children and their siblings to come out and just feel free to be themselves with no restrictions!
I am so proud to be a part of this event and to have so many great people stepping up to make this event great for the children. Please stay tuned for the rest of the story as it unfolds…
Mike Roberson
Charles Lewis
Testimonials
Latest News
Children Battling Cancer get Aerial View of Pitt County
Families with critically ill kids got the chance to temporarily forget about the daily struggles of battling sickness to take flight in a unique experience.
Kids Battling Chronic Illnesses Soar with the Clouds
Children battling cancer or sick with chronic illnesses enjoyed a day filled with planes and helicopters. The Free to be Me event in Greenville allowed children to ride in aircrafts. Eight-year-old Roman was diagnosed with leukemia right after his fourth birthday. It’s been a long road to recovery for him and his family. Four[…]
Testimonial: Bobbie Judge
In this testimonial, mom Bobbie Judge talks about her four year old son, Tommy, and his participation at the Free To Be Me events in the last two years.
Video: Flying Free of Their Critical Illness at Free To Be Me Event
Ali Weatherton from WNCT reports the 2015 Free To Be Me event. In this video, Ali interviews Anthony Mabery, who flew with pilot Al Williford.
Testimonial: Katie Patience Outlaw
Katie Outlaw talks about her experience with her kids Greyson and Huntman at the 2015 Free To Be Me event, where they enjoyed a fun airplane with pilot Al.
Flying Free of Their Critical Illness at Free To Be Me Event
Journalist Ali Weatherton reports the 2015 Free To Be Me event on WNCT9. Featured in the interview is Anthony Mabery who flew with pilot Al Williford.
Testimonial: Melany Stawnyczyj
Melany Stawnyczyj talks about how the Free To Be Me organization helped The Roman Warrior family during the battle with cancer.
2015 Free To Be Me in Greenville, NC on May 30
Announcing the 2015 Free To Be Me event in Greenville, NC at Pitt-Greenville Airport on May 30th, flying pediatrics with chronic and critical illness.
Children and Families Take to the Sky on Saturday
Free airplane and helicopter rides for sick pediatrics and their families were enjoyed during the second Free To Be Me event held in Greenville, NC.
Local Pilots To Entertain Children With Airplane Rides
Henry Hinton interviews Mike Roberson of Free To Be Me, an organization that provides kids with chronic and/or critical health issues with a day of fun.