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With the holiday season in full swing here to end 2019, I think it’s an important time to note just how cherished our military families should be to all of us, and even more so here at the holidays.

USA military families make incredible sacrifices for their country, sometimes, sadly, paying the ultimate price for freedom. I always support any effort to help better the lives our military families, and Helping Hands for Freedom continues to be my favorite place to show such support.

That’s why this year I donated both my time and money to Helping Hands, including my attendance at the nonprofit’s Annual Golf Tournament over the summer. It was a very special event this year, which included nationally recognized comedian, Greg Hahn (Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, CBS, ABC, FOX, MTV and CMT), who performed to help raise extra money to support life emergency needs for the fallen, wounded, and deployed.

Greg’s a great guy, and a perfect fit for Helping Hands for Freedom, as he himself served as a Captain in the Marine Corps

Army Staff Sgt. Chris Bain also joined us at this year’s charity tournament. Recipient of the 2015 Helping Hands for Freedom Wounded Warrior of the Year honors, Chris continues to fight for military families. Born at Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton, Bain continued the tradition of every male in his family serving in the U.S. military –

“My dad was a Marine. My dad educated me and said don’t be a Marine just because I am a Marine and to pick the branch I wanted. I researched the Army and Marines.”

On a fateful night in August of 2004, Bain suffered terrible injuries on a raid in Taji, Iraq.

“We jumped out and got ambushed… we got hit with mortars from all over. I got my guys under cover and ran back to where we were set up. I got shot in the arm, elbow and other places.”

Bain lost four-and-a-half pints of blood, lying dead on the battlefield for 18 minutes, but miraculously endured 18 surgeries and has an electronic battery pack embedded in his buttocks to send an electrical charge to the left side of his body.

During his grueling recovery at Walter Reed Hospital, he made the decision to spend the rest of his life helping fellow veterans.

I was proud and honored to stand with Chris Bain in support of these extremely crucial efforts to help military children and families. As you hopefully enjoy a peaceful holiday this year, please take time to remember and honor (and donate if possible) all the sacrifices our military service members and their family members make for our country.

Click the link her to read the full Billy Crafton press release from the Helping Hands for Freedom event, and to donate and/or sign up for next year’s tournament, click here to visit Helping Hands for Freedom online.

Exciting news late this Fall here as I’ve made another donation to Helping Hands For Freedom, one of my favorite charities.

San Diego resident and HHFF Circle of Heroes Advisory Board Member, financial advisor Billy Crafton, makes a generous $10,000 donation to support Youth Sports and Education Camps scheduled for 2015.

Denver, CO (PRWEB) November 22, 2014

Today nonprofit Helping Hands for Freedom (HHFF) announces a significant donation in support of the work they do for United States military families. San Diego resident and HHFF Circle of Heroes Advisory Board Member, Billy Crafton financial advisor, makes a generous $10,000 donation to support Youth Sports and Education Camps scheduled for 2015.

Mr. Crafton says, “I met the founder of HHFF, Rod Smith, while I was still in college when he asked me to help him run youth football camps for kids back in the Midwest. It was such a rewarding experience that I have stayed a part of Rod’s charity work over the years. I know first-hand what a difference these programs make in children’s lives. In this special month when we recognize our true heroes, it is my honor to support military children and their participation in the youth programs provided by Helping Hands for Freedom.”

Rod Smith adds, “Veterans Day recently came and went here in November, and it’s a special time of year for both our military and all the nonprofits that serve them. It’s important to recognize not only the sacrifices made overseas, but to also recognize the sacrifices our military families make at home. Our Youth Sports and Education Camps help accomplish that, and I appreciate Billy’s generosity.”

HHFF youth sports and academic curriculum camps provide an environment of positive participation and life-skills development. The camp experience empowers young men and women to become strong and productive leaders in society. Directed toward active participation, the program focuses children on positive reinforcement while building self-esteem and raising skill levels.

The Youth Sports & Education Camps are open to boys and girls ages 8 to 14, without regard to race, color, creed, or religious affiliations, and are open to military children of the fallen, wounded and deployed. We recognize the multitude of struggles facing many military families and the challenge parents face in raising children in a continually changing world, all while serving our country.

To learn more about Helping Hands for Freedom and how to get involved, please visit: http://www.helpinghandsforfreedom.org

MISSON: Providing for military children whose parents are injured, lost to war, and facing multiple deployments.

MILITARY CHILDREN — “THE STORY BEHIND THE SCENE”: The children of our wounded service members, and those who lose a parent to war, suffer not only from the devastating loss of a parent and a life-changing home environment, but also from the absence of a significant contributor to their growth, development, and education. Children whose parents serve multiple deployments also face considerable change. To these children facing such significant issues, caring mentors and proven leadership provide the vital support, encouragement, and inspiration to help them reach their goals in life. We work to address the gaps in the military and government’s support for the immediate needs facing our military children and families.

CREDITS
Billy Crafton Financial Advisor Donates…