Help is here.
You have Friends.

Real support for veterans, first responders and community members in crisis, with accountability on both sides, moving people toward self-reliance, not dependency.

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What Friends of Fred does

Friends of Fred connects people in need with practical support, trusted resources, and a community ready to help. Through direct assistance, volunteer response, and community partnerships, we work to meet people where they are and provide support when it matters most.

OUR CORE PILLARS

Three ways we show up

Every dollar, every hour, and every helping hand supports one of three ways we show up for our Friends.

Paramedic smiling from the driver's seat of an ambulance

First Responders

Crisis support built for the specific pressures police, fire and EMS families face, from unplanned medical bills to a sudden loss of income.

Get support as a first responder

A woman holding the hands of a service member in uniform

Community Outreach

Rent, utility and medical assistance for neighbors facing a genuine, short-term crisis, assessed case by case.

Request community crisis support

Volunteers packing food bags at tables in a park

Volunteer Force

A trained, on-call network of local volunteers ready to mobilize for disaster response and community events.

Join the volunteer force

LIVES IMPACTED

Stories of getting back up

“Coach Fred didn’t just help me, he believed in me. When I hit a point where I felt completely stuck, Friends of Fred stepped in with real support and real accountability. They didn’t just hand me a check; they helped me get back on my feet. Today I’m working, stable, and finally moving forward again. I owe that momentum to Fred and the Friends of Fred team.”

Kara L.

“I’ve worked with nonprofits for years, but I’ve never seen anyone show up like Fred does. He’s the first person to roll up his sleeves and the last one to leave. When our family was going through a crisis, Friends of Fred gave us hope, resources, and the guidance we needed to rebuild. Fred’s heart, integrity, and dedication are the real difference. He doesn’t just talk about service, he lives it.”

Alex C.

OUR STORY

Unwavering community.
Transformative support.

Friends of Fred exists to give first responders, veterans and community members a real path out of crisis, with honesty and accountability on both sides, not a handout.

Two firefighters in breathing apparatus bumping fists

OUR FOUNDER

Fred “Coach” Thomas

Navy veteran, community leader, and longtime advocate for service-driven impact.

Fred “Coach” Thomas is a Navy veteran, community leader, and longtime advocate for service-driven impact. His life reflects a deep commitment to helping others, with decades of volunteer leadership, nonprofit involvement, fundraising, and hands-on community support.

What began with military service grew into a lifelong dedication to giving back. Fred has supported organizations including the Armed Services YMCA and has held leadership roles with Aloha United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the American Heart Association.

Known for his “boots on the ground” approach to community service, Fred is committed to showing up where help is needed most. His work has ranged from ongoing volunteer initiatives to disaster-response and relief efforts, including support following the Eaton Canyon Fires.

Guided by his mantra, “My time on this planet is a gift that I honor through service,” Fred believes in offering a hand up, not a handout. Through Friends of Fred, he continues to inspire volunteerism, strengthen communities, and encourage others to turn compassion into action.