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

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Staff/Support

Joy Sprink
  • National Community Liaison Officer

As Helping Hands for Freedom’s National Community Liaison, Joy serves the Gold Star and Veteran community and their families across the nation. She engages with government and nonprofit agencies as well as corporate entities to create partnerships and support for our military community.

Joy’s expertise in Special Event Production, Military Transitional Workshop Development, fundraising and grant writing are the result of a career as an experienced creative business strategist and award winning college educator.

This year, Joy was nominated and selected to participate in Take the Lead: 50 Women Who Can Change the World, Non Profit Sector 2017. This women’s executive leadership conference focuses on women who are making a positive difference in their organizations and impact in their communities.

Joy continues to represent Helping Hands for Freedom on the Arizona Department of Veterans Services Women’s Workshop Coalition to make impact on the future success for women Veterans. She was responsible with partnering with The Veterans Directory and Vets Community Connections to create 2017 Designing Your Transformation: A Summit for Women Veterans in October of this year.

Joy’s family has strong roots across the military service spectrum: Marine Corps, Army, Navy and Air Force. She is dedicated and ready to serve the needs of our Gold Star and military Veterans and their families across the nation.

jsprink@helpinghandsforfreedom.org

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

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

Dave Dix
  • Golf Advisory Committee

Dave Dix was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 1983.  He moved to Phoenix in 1986 and married and started a family in 1990.  He is very proud of his wife, Christy, and 2 boys, Logan and Tanner, who are both currently attending Northern Arizona University.  Dave spent 22 years in corporate America before transitioning to a real estate career in 2007.  He is currently the owner and designated broker of Long Realty Camelback, with 45 agents in 2 offices.  Dave is also a committee member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee.

Dave has been working with Helping Hands for Freedom since January of 2014 and has been on the golf tournament committee for 2 years.  It's been an honor for him to be a part of this extremely important organization, which does so much good for our brave veterans and families. Dave looks forward to further increasing his support and involvement in the organization.

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
  • 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