Hillary Lorsch - outstanding Alumni

Meet Hillary!
Our 2019 Outstanding Alumni Volunteer.

​We sat down with Hillary and talked about her volunteerism and the value of Swift for her. Find the full interview below! 

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Help us congratulate Hillary at the Swift Appreciation Event on Tuesday, April 2, at 6:30pm. More info and to register-Click HERE!

Involvement

Q: How have you been involved and (how long) with Swift as a volunteer?
A: "I started volunteering with Swift my freshman year of high school. My first event was the Swift Carnival. After years of hearing about my brother attending Camp Swift, I finally was old enough to be a Swift counselor during the summer of 2011. Since then I have spent 8 summers volunteering at Camp Swift. I have been a counselor, support staff member, unit head, and admin member. I also have had the opportunity during the last year to work with Swift Youth Foundation on fundraising campaigns and graphic design work."

Q: What do you see as the most valuable aspect of your experience as a Swift volunteer?
A: "Swift Youth Foundation taught me to be a mentor in so many ways. I was 14-years-old during my first summer as a Camp Swift counselor. There was a lice epidemic that summer and I was placed as the counselor for the girls that caught the lice. When it was time to put the girls to bed, one of the campers started to cry. It had been a very long day for these campers, they were taken from their cabin, had to have their hair washed and picked at by a stranger, and then finally once the day was over, they had to sleep in a new cabin with other campers of various age groups. The young girl who started to cry that night happened to be only a year younger than me. I had to forget the fact that I was only 14-years-old and be there for this camper who was scared and missing her family. Swift gave me a different perspective on life and privilege, something every teenager should experience."

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Impact

Q: Please tell us about any specific success that your involvement with our organization helped you achieve, and how.
A: "Swift Youth Foundation gave me the confidence to take on leadership roles throughout college and as an adult."
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Q: Can you tell me about a specific event or experience that exemplifies why Swift Youth Foundation is such an impactful organization?
A: "During one summer session at Camp Swift, I had a camper who didn’t want to get into the pool. She sat on the side with her feet dangling in with a smile on her face hiding what really underlyed why she wouldn’t join her cabinmates in the pool. I asked her why she didn’t want to go swimming. She told me when she was only a few years old, she started to drown and she is scared if she gets in the pool it will happen again. I asked if she would start by taking one step in the pool at a time. By the end of our swimming hour she was practicing swimming in the shallow end by holding my hands. Learning to face our fears is one of many ways Swift helps campers to grow."

Q: How has your experience with Swift impacted the person you are today?
A: "Swift Youth Foundation taught me to be a mindful listener, that sometimes all anyone needs is for you to listen or even to just sit with them."

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Initiative

Q: How has Swift inspired your volunteerism?
A: "Swift has made me realize how important it is to volunteer with organizations in your community. Being able to meet the people the nonprofit is benefiting is way more meaningful than sending money off to places you’ve never even been to."  

Q: What creative or innovative ways have you volunteered with Swift?
A: "One of my greatest talents is my eye for graphic design. As Swift develops and grows as an organization they are always looking for ways to enhance their image through media and marketing. After graduating from college, I had more time to lend my graphic design talents to help build the Swift brand while I also am getting some great real life experience. There really are a million ways to get involved with Swift!"

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Help us congratulate Hillary at the Swift Appreciation Event on Tuesday, April 2, at 6:30pm. More info and to register-Click HERE!