Helping Hands for Freedom

Helping Hands for Freedom is dedicated to supporting the children of the fallen, wounded and deployed. These are the children who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in their young lives. They may have lost a parent to war, suicide or their parent is encountering ongoing physical and emotional trauma. Helping Hands for Freedom's emergency financial assistance Life Needs Program is critical in supporting these families in a temporary time of need. Our support prevents homelessness and hunger.

Founded in 2008 by SSG (Ret) Patrick Shannon. Patrick Shannon is a United States Marine Corps and Army veteran , with a distinguished service record, including "Operation Restore Hope" in Somalia. He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his wounds and heroism at Al Hyria Station, in the city of Ramadi, part of the deadly province of Al Anbar.

He received the Sam Walton Hero Award from Walmart and is a national spokesperson for the wounded.

As a result of his wounds Patrick spent six months at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he spent time talking to other wounded soldiers. This experience was very eye opening for him. He soon realized that none of the families of the fallen or the wounded were being helped, so he started his own 501(c)(3) organization to fill that need. This organization is Helping Hands for Freedom.

If you qualify for assistance, we may be able to help in the following ways:

Financial Assistance: for serious emergency Life Needs. This includes a mortgage/lease payment, car payment, utility and insurance bills and other serious short-term needs to provide stability for the family. We prevent homeless and hunger in our Veterans communities.

Life Enrichment: Gold Star and Wounded Veterans community support for children and spouses that includes Holiday gifts and food, backpacks when returning to school, Gold Star luncheons and dinners, attendance at sporting events, wildlife parks and other entertainment options, that provide camaraderie, healing and resiliency in the family unit.