I want to set-up a freebie section on my site, and I want to make it where it counts downloads to date. Is there a free script that I can learn from that any of ya'll know of?

It's quite easy to do PHP wise, so there is likely to be a script out there.
* Googles "Download Counter PHP Free" *

http://www.phpjunkyard.com/php-click-counter.php - this one seems to fit your description.

Or you can try this free download counter http://www.phoenix.frihost.net/MD_21/read_me.php from my site.