David D. Haddad founded Friends of Freedom (FoF) from a simple premise, to serve those who protect our freedoms. David’s Flagship program, Freedom/Sticks for Soldiers in 2003 provided cigars to deployed service members through Blue Star Moms “Packages from Home” care packs. Fumar Cigars, David’s professional enterprise, donated over 100,000 cigars to troops in the first 4 years with the licensed logos of each of the military branch mascots. Through 2015 June, Friends of Freedom delivered over 750,000 cigars into war zones supplying personally founded cigar clubs unique to USO Victory base, Baghdad, Iraq and The Tillman Center in Bagram, Afghanistan. Locally, Friends of Freedom continues to host cigar socials for our military members and veterans.
Friends of Freedom sought to assist our military and veterans locally by assisting them with rent, utilities, car repairs, military transition (employment search, building resumes, and purchase of job-required equipment to include suits), and even donated cars. On a national level, we have strategically partnered since 2009 with American Airlines, Gary Sinise Foundation, USO, Chef Irvine Foundation, and Tribute To Valor Foundation. Through these partnerships “Friends of Freedom”, helped facilitate programs such as Salute To The Troops, Snow Ball Express, Choosing to See, Canyon Rising, and others.
In 2020 FoF adopted Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Emergency Medical Personnel in our outreach. These heroes also cope with like barriers that our military and veterans do. We believe that all these HEROES deserve the best services available. Thus, our Vision “Empowering our HEROES to develop the quality of life they deserve.”
Since its inception, Friends of Freedom has addressed service gaps impacting America’s Heroes. In 2026, the organization will prioritize strategic investment in the Heroes’ Families. Families frequently experience relocation, prolonged separation, psychological trauma, and secondary stressors associated with military service. Despite their critical role in sustaining the Hero, they often receive fewer targeted resources. The stability of the Hero is directly correlated to the strength of the family unit. When that foundation is unstable, vulnerability increases, including increased risk of isolation, psychological distress, and preventable loss.
- Facilitate structured family reintegration through shared experiential programming.
- Provide professionally supported workshops that create safe environments for family engagement.
- Develop initiatives that strengthen communication, cohesion, and resilience.
- Expand access to comprehensive support networks for family members.
David D. Haddad founded Friends of Freedom (FoF) from a simple premise, to serve those who protect our freedoms. David’s Flagship program, Freedom/Sticks for Soldiers in 2003 provided cigars to deployed service members through Blue Star Moms “Packages from Home” care packs. Fumar Cigars, David’s professional enterprise, donated over 100,000 cigars to troops in the first 4 years with the licensed logos of each of the military branch mascots. Through 2015 June, Friends of Freedom delivered over 750,000 cigars into war zones supplying personally founded cigar clubs unique to USO Victory base, Baghdad, Iraq and The Tillman Center in Bagram, Afghanistan. Locally, Friends of Freedom continues to host cigar socials for our military members and veterans.
Friends of Freedom sought to assist our military and veterans locally by assisting them with rent, utilities, car repairs, military transition (employment search, building resumes, and purchase of job-required equipment to include suits), and even donated cars. On a national level, we have strategically partnered since 2009 with American Airlines, Gary Sinise Foundation, USO, Chef Irvine Foundation, and Tribute To Valor Foundation. Through these partnerships “Friends of Freedom”, helped facilitate programs such as Salute To The Troops, Snow Ball Express, Choosing to See, Canyon Rising, and others.
In 2020 FoF adopted Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Emergency Medical Personnel in our outreach. These heroes also cope with like barriers that our military and veterans do. We believe that all these HEROES deserve the best services available. Thus, our Vision “Empowering our HEROES to develop the quality of life they deserve.”
Since its inception, Friends of Freedom has addressed service gaps impacting America’s Heroes. In 2026, the organization will prioritize strategic investment in the Heroes’ Families. Families frequently experience relocation, prolonged separation, psychological trauma, and secondary stressors associated with military service. Despite their critical role in sustaining the Hero, they often receive fewer targeted resources. The stability of the Hero is directly correlated to the strength of the family unit. When that foundation is unstable, vulnerability increases, including increased risk of isolation, psychological distress, and preventable loss.
- Facilitate structured family reintegration through shared experiential programming.
- Provide professionally supported workshops that create safe environments for family engagement.
- Develop initiatives that strengthen communication, cohesion, and resilience.
- Expand access to comprehensive support networks for family members.
Vision
“Empowering our HEROES to develop the quality of life they deserve”.
Friends of Freedom (FoF) believes that America’s HEROES: Military (Active, Retired, and Veterans) First Responders, Law Enforcement, and their families, deserve the full measure of care and assistance they need to live a resilient, purposeful, and high quality of life.
We believe that our HEROES deserve a high quality of life. Supporting organizations that facilitate programming that align with our vision.
Mission
Our Mission is to bridge the gap in current services that empower “America’s Heroes”, addressing the ever-changing needs our HEROES and their families need.
Values
Our Four Pillars:
Mind / Family / Financial / Morale
All of which impact the overall quality of life of our HEROES.
Vision
“Empowering our HEROES to develop the quality of life they deserve”.
Friends of Freedom (FoF) believes that America’s HEROES: Military (Active, Retired, and Veterans) First Responders, Law Enforcement, and their families, deserve the full measure of care and assistance they need to live a resilient, purposeful, and high quality of life.
We believe that our HEROES deserve a high quality of life. Supporting organizations that facilitate programming that align with our vision.
Mission
Our Mission is to bridge the gap in current services that empower “America’s Heroes”, addressing the ever-changing needs our HEROES and their families need.
Values
Our Four Pillars:
- Mind
- Family
- Financial
- Morale
All of which impact the overall quality of life of our HEROES.
Meet the men and women of the Friends of Freedom Board and Advisory Council.
We are fortunate to have these champions steward the mission of Friends of Freedom — Empowering Veterans and First Responders Transitioning From Service to Civilian Life Successfully.
