The Southwest Veterans Foundation (SWVF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and serves as the “charitable arm” of the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce (SWVCC). Tom Sheets, a retired Marine Colonel and its Executive Director, likes to simplify its mission. “In simple terms, the Foundation mission is fundraising and fundgiving to support Veterans and their families.”
When the SWVCC created the Foundation in 2016, its inspiration was Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, where he stated, “…we must care for those who have borne the battle and his widow and orphan.” For SWVF purposes, “borne the battle” is not just those who have been in combat, but all those who have donned the uniform and served their Country.
The “Global War on Terror” or “The Long War” has put incredible strain on servicemen and women and their families and this stress follows them into their post-active duty lives as Veterans. It has become fashionable to “thank Veterans for their service.” The sad reality is that many Veterans and their families need more than just our thanks. To support these Veterans and their families, the SWVF host several programs including:
- Veteran College Scholarships
- Veteran Trade School Scholarships
- Veteran Suicide Prevention Grant Program
- Charitable donations to non-profit organizations supporting Veterans and their families
The SWVF has given nearly $100,000 in charitable grants and $30,000 in Veteran scholarships. Since 2020, its signature issue has been Veteran Suicides. Recently the Veterans Administration released its annual Veteran Suicide Report, covering 2019. The report notes a national decline in both the number of Veteran suicides and the rate per 100,000, Unfortunately, that is not true for Arizona, that showed an increase in both the number and the rate per 100,000—and moved up to the fifth highest rate of all states in the Nation! As a result of this negative trend in Arizona, Veteran Suicide Prevention will likely remain its signature issue for some time to come.
The Foundation’s signature fundraising event is the annual Patriots Ball. Its 6th Ball was held on October 16th outside at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort where they honored Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The COVID pandemic dampened attendance a little and has adversely affected fundraising for nearly two years. If you would like to support the SWVF Veteran Support Programs, you can donate at its website, https://swvcc.org/foundation/, by calling 602.677.2961, or at its Suicide Prevention fundraising platform, https://go.dojiggy.io/DonationPages/df653d.
Tom closes nearly every SWVF event or interaction with, On behalf of the Veterans and their families who will ultimately benefit from your generosity, we thank you.” So too is it fitting to end our recognition of SWVF with that same message.
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