​Growing up in New York, attending summer camp was a natural thing. My brother, father, grandfather, aunts, uncles, cousins, and myself all went to summer camp. I thought everybody went to summer camp and had no reason to think otherwise.
 
As I got older, I learned that camp was a privilege and not an expectation.  Nowhere was this more apparent than my first visit to work in the kitchen at Camp Swift over 15 years ago, when I observed a young girl of about 8 years old stuffing rolls in her pockets at lunch. 

My name is Diana Nichols and I’m currently a Junior attending Arizona State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. I am majoring in Communications with a minor in Business and a certificate in Business Innovation and Entrepreneurial studies.
 
Swift Youth Foundation has been a part of my life since the summer of 2007. I remember leaving Phoenix, Arizona with gushing tears from my eyes, because it was the first time I left home without my family. Little did I know, five wonderful days later, I would come home with even stronger tears, now knowing Swift had been the best experience in my life. 

​As 2016 winds to a close, we start to anticipate the end of year rush that includes trying to fit everything in – shopping for gifts, finals, holiday cards, parties, vacations and yes, tax credits.
 
Your tax advisor will tell you to max out your tax credits to reduce your tax liability.
 
I will tell you that the charitable tax credit boosts your conscience in addition to your pocketbook.
 
At Swift Youth Foundation, the tax credit literally helps fund experiences that embrace positivity, change and philanthropy.
 
Justin, now a grown man, credits Swift with helping him escape his old gang alive and start a new life. He went to Swift overnight camp on a whim at the urging of a police officer at his school. He had never known a life other than one surrounded by gangs and drugs. He went on to be accepted to the naval academy and Berkley School of music, graduating high school with honors and scholarships.

This year, on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, Swift Youth Foundation is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving.

Last year, we raised over $18,000 on #GivingTuesday, and this year we hope to beat that record - but we need you to get us there!  There are several ways you can help:

Save the Date and Donate!
First there's Thanksgiving, then there's Black Friday, followed by Cyber Monday, and then last but not least, is #GivingTuesday!  This year it will be held on November 29th. (This also happens to be our Executive Director's birthday, and you have to know that nothing will make her day like the entire Swift community participating in #GivingTuesday in some way!)

Click here to donate!

Post your #WhySWIFT #Unselfie and share, share, SHARE!  
We'll be posting lots and lots of content on social media leading up to and on #GivingTuesday!  Please help spread the word by sharing our posts and also posting your own #Unselfie...see the graphic below to understand how the #Unselfie works!