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WORKING FOR YOU

TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Help Us Empower Our Heroes

How it all started

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.

Currently, we have 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.”

man reading names off Vietnam war memorial

Help Us Empower Our Heroes

How it all started

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 AirlinesGary Sinise FoundationUSOChef 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.

Currently, we have 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.”

Man reads names on a memorial in front of the Washington National Monument in DC

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.

The Board

Meet the men and women of the Friends of Freedom USA Board and Advisory Council.
We are fortunate to have these champions steward the mission of Friends of Freedom USA — Empowering Veterans and First Responders Transitioning From Service to Civilian Life Successfully.

DAVID HADDAD
MICHAEL LA'HAYE
STEVEN BOWLDS
HEATHER WAGENHALS

Empowering our HEROES to develop the quality of life they deserve.

David Haddad

Friends of Freedom USA Founder,
Executive Board Member President

DAVID HADDAD

David D. Haddad founded Friends of Freedom (FOF) from a simple premise, to serve those who protect our freedoms during and after service. From David’s Flagship program, Freedom/Sticks for Soldiers in 2003 providing cigars to deployed service members through Blue Star Moms “Packages from Home” care packs to Fumar Cigars, David’s professional enterprise, donating over 100,000 cigars to troops in the first 4 years with the licensed logos of each of the military branch mascots. David engenders a spirit of gratitude and hope for those who may need some assistance transitioning from service to civilian life.

Steven Bowlds

Board Member

STEVEN BOWLDS

Steven proudly served the United States Marine Corps as a member of 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. Using the skills and knowledge he obtained from the Marine Corps, he went on to protect high profile targets who were visiting Iraq. Notable mentions are the late Sen. John McCain, Sen. Joe Lieberman, Barney Frank, and Hillary Clinton.

Choosing to use brains over brawn, Steven graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s in construction engineering. After graduation he began his career with Hunter Contracting and works in the water/wastewater industry. He parlays those leadership qualities as Vice President of Friends of Freedom USA. Steven is a great example of what translating skills learned during service, to civilian life successfully can mean for an individual or family.

Michael La'Haye

Friends of Freedom USA
Executive Board Member -Treasurer

MICHAEL LA'HAYE

After 26 years serving our country, US Army Ret. Michael M La’Haye BA, MBA, MSL Ed.D (ABD) and Friends of Freedom USA Board Member as treasurer continues his personal mission of looking after soldiers and their wellbeing through his efforts with Friends of Freedom USA’ programming. His first-hand experiences formally and informally counseling soldiers through the transition from service to civilian life affords Friends of Freedom USA his unique perspective of the problems and challenges soldier’s face when transitioning to non-military life. Michael’s insight helps guide other board members to make informed and effective decisions when deploying the resources of the organization.

Heather Wagenhals

Friends of Freedom USA
Executive Board Member - Secretary

HEATHER WAGENHALS
Regular supporter of Friends of Freedom USA and newly appointed board member Heather Wagenhals tirelessly supports this organization through her media presence and connections in the community. Heather intimately understands the importance of successful transitions from service to civilian life as her father, uncles, brother, and dearest friends all have served in various capacities in branches of the armed forces and law enforcement.
Heather brings with her a multitude of talents as a FOX News contributor, personal finance authority, professional speaker, talk show host and producer, internet marketer and social media authority as she actively participates as a member of the Friends of Freedom USA executive board.

Friends of Freedom Casino Night & POker Tournament Fundraiser

  • Musical entertainment includes our local Rod Stewart impressionist and the Fighter Country Talent (Airmen from Luke Air Force Base)
  • BBQ from Stan Hays of Operation BBQ
  • Other great food from Fire Up Freedom Fire Truck
  • Keith Ellis (local comedian) will MC with a few more local celebrities

There will be a plethora of raffle items valued over $1000 including: getaway packages, skydiving packages, Super Bowl Celebrity Tailgate Party, and many more…

You will receive 5 Raffle tickets with your $100 ticket purchase and food is included with entrance.