Helping Hands for Freedom is a 501c3 dedicated to supporting the families of the fallen, wounded and deployed.

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Staff/Support

Jeffrey T. Smith, Colorado Board Liaison
Jeffrey T. Smith
  • Colorado Board Liaison

Mr. Smith is celebrating his 18th year in the financial services industry helping his clients with their unique insurance and investment needs. HIs experience with American Express, New York Life, Foresters, and most recently Liberty Mutual, has provided him with the experience to take on the challenge of becoming an Independent Producer (MAC Insurance) and Investment Advisor Representative (Hurley Investments). Currently he is the Circle of Heroes Advisory Committee Liaison for Helping Hands For Freedom - Colorado. Working in close connection with committee members and volunteers, Jeff will lead in the areas of fundraising, recruiting, and event logistics. The current passion project is the construction of HHFF's House of Healing that will help bring an end to the 20+ suicides per day that plague our military men and women suffering from the effects of PTSD.

Jeffrey T, as he is known to friends, was born and raised in Denver, Colorado where he currently resides with his wife of 29 years Ms. Cheri Hackett. Cheri and Jeff are the proud parents of three daughters, and one grandson.

jsmith@helpinghandsforfreedom.org
720-530-9990

Paul Gable, Midwest Community Liaison, Helping Hands for Freedom
Paul Gable
  • Midwest Community Liaison

With over 20 years' experience in journalism, Paul Gable came to work for Helping Hands for Freedom in 2015, serving as Communications Director for Route for the Brave. A native of Boston, Gable resides in Indiana with his wife and three children and is active in his community, serving as team captain of the All Pro Dad's initiative for Triton Central Schools and is a member of the Shelbyville Rotary. 

"Helping Hands for Freedom signifies all that is great with country--helping those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  As a true non-profit, Helping Hands for Freedom spends time helping military families and soldiers.  I am very honored to be a part of such a great organization."

pgable@helpinghandsforfreedom.org

Stefy Ruiz - Program Coordinator-Colorado
Stefy Ruiz
  • Program Coordinator-Colorado

Stefy Ruiz is our Program Coordinator. She honorably served in the United States Air Force from 1998-2006, during Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Stefy has been active in the non-profit sector since 2000, contributing as a volunteer for the Holidays 4 the Homeless, the American Red Cross, Salt Lake City VA Facility, Phoenix VA Facility, Stockport Development Project, Central Iowa Shelter and Services, the American Legion, Open Door Mission and the Hope Recovery Center for Homeless Veterans. As a US Air Force veteran, active duty military spouse and mother of 2 boys Stefy knows firsthand the daily challenges that our military families face. It’s with this unique insight that she is able to identify, develop and execute programs that are the most critical to our military and their families.

stefy@helpinghandsforfreedom.org

SSgt (Ret) Chris Bain
SSgt (Ret) Chris Bain
  • Development

SSgt (Ret) Chris Bain is a wounded veteran who suffered severe injuries in Iraq. He served several tours because of his love for his country. While in Iraq he was injured in an ambush where he and his team were hit by 3 mortars and he was shot twice. He actually died for 10 minutes, but was revived by his interpreter who gave him a blood transfusion on the battlefield. He woke up 14 days later in Walter Reed Medical Center where he spent 3 and a half years recovering from his injuries. Chris refused amputation of his arms and used the sheer force of his will to keep going. He is the recipient of a of a ground breaking procedure that implanted a battery in his left buttock and sensors in his spine to bring is left side back to life. Despite his injuries he is now a single digit handicap golfer.

He is here today because of his refusal to give up. After his service he went back to college and received a bachelor's degree in business management in 2019 from Penn St. He is married with three children and now resides in Phoenix, AZ. He is a principal partner/owner in a service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) specializing in the construction sector. www.patryot.com.

cbain@patryot.com

Carrie Smith
Carrie Smith
  • Florida Board Liaison

Colonel (Ret) Caroline K.M. Smith (Carrie) grew up in Terre Haute, Indiana. She graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor's Degree in History and a ROTC Commission as a Distinguished Military Graduate in July 1997. Later she received a Masters Degree in Business Security Management and a Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Her military education and duty focus were with the Military Police. During her 23 years in the Army she deployed to Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. Among her domestic duty stations was a stint at the Pentagon. During her career, Carrie advanced from Platoon Leader to Company Commander to Battalion Commander with her final assignment as the Brigade Commander and Commandant of the United States Disciplinary Barracks and Correctional Complex at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Among her many awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Combat Action Badge and Master Parachutist Badge.

Newly married Carrie chose to retire from active duty and start a new life with husband Jonathan in Holmes Beach, Florida (Tampa area)