Photography courtesy Chris Walsh
familiar with the area. When I met Chris, I explained my current situation and told her that I would contact her when we had settled into our new home. And that’s how my involvement with Freedom Rowers began. I’ve been an active volunteer since 2016. I also joined the board of directors in January 2017 and have served as president since January 2019. Freedom Rowers is a great organization, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
TOWNE SALUTE
Chris Walsh Freedom Rowers
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By Lisa A. Lewis
ince he is passionate about rowing, Chris Walsh is always seeking new opportunities to immerse himself in the sport. So when he met Chris Gill, executive director and coach of Freedom Rowers, at an event in Maryland in August 2015, he was definitely interested in the organization and excited about the possibilities. As fellow rowers, they immediately made a connection, and Walsh knew that he wanted to become involved. Unfortunately, he lived in Arlington, Virginia, so he was unable to make a commitment. But like many circumstances in life, timing is everything, and Walsh was hopeful that he would be able to explore the opportunity in the future.
“My wife, Meg, and I had purchased a home outside of Oxford in 2005, and we were planning to relocate,” Walsh says. “My parents moved to Easton in the 1970s, so I was 14
What’s Up? Eastern Shore | August 2020 | whatsupmag.com
Established in 2006 and based in Easton, Freedom Rowers is a competitive rowing program with no school affiliation that is open to students aged 13–18 in Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, and Queen Anne’s counties. The organization offers two seasons per year: spring (March through May) and fall (September through November). An avid rower whose involvement in the sport spans 48 years, Walsh is a devoted volunteer who works tirelessly to support Freedom Rowers. Although he loves watching the team, he is not involved with coaching. Instead, he works behind the scenes in an effort to secure longterm sustainability. Some of his primary responsibilities include managing the organization’s finances and online platforms, building upon existing partnerships, reaching out to the community for support, and exploring opportunities for growth.
“Chris is also a rower at heart and understands the importance of our mission, which offers kids the opportunity to grow through a sport that is an alternative to the traditional ball sports.” “Chris is a terrific addition to our dedicated board of directors and came onboard at a time when we were transitioning to an organization that is now utilizing all manner of online platforms,” Gill says. “With his professional knowledge, we are better able to track our financial health and growth for the future. Chris is also a rower at heart and understands the importance of our mission, which offers kids the opportunity to grow through a sport that is an alternative to the traditional ball sports. He has seen firsthand how rowing has changed the lives of many of our team members, and this motivates him to push for our continued success by building a board that connects with the community and improves our visibility.” Indeed, Walsh’s hard work and dedication greatly contribute to Freedom Rowers’ success. By maintaining solid partnerships with Ev-
