Giving back is something Nick learned from his Grandmother.

This Is Who I Am

I love helping people, anyway I can. I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can use my position in baseball positively to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to do great things in the community and having a public profile gives me a unique opportunity to do just that.

I started getting involved in the community and charity work when I was in the Bay Area playing for the Oakland Athletics, and quickly got to work while I was in Chicago with the White Sox. Now I’m in the biggest city in America and proud to be a New York Yankee, so I’ve got more opportunities than ever to get to work and really make a difference in the lives of children.

It doesn’t always have to be a big new story to help someone, the way I see it, it’s reading a story to a child in the hospital, visiting with our injured troops and shaking hands and talking baseball, growing out my hair so a wig can be made for a woman dealing with hair loss from chemotherapy, or simply making sure I sign as many autographs as I can. Every action I take can make a difference in someone’s life. It’s the challenge and the opportunity that we all have ¬¬--to give back to others. This is what drives me. This is who I am.

Nick Swisher

Nick Swisher Foundation’s “Swish’s Wishes” is dedicated to enriching lives and lifting the spirits of children who are facing vital health issues while providing care, comfort and support through the most difficult of times.

We are broad-based in our focus so that we can be flexible and help all kids in need as much as we can. The most important thing is that we put to work 100% of the funds that comes into the foundation and get into the hands of non profit organizations that help the kids that need it the most.

July 1st, 2009 marks the 2nd anniversary of Swish’s Wishes.

“Swish’s Wishes” works in the community nationwide to make a difference in the lives of children. Here are some of our recent activities:

• LYNN SAGE CANCER FOUNDATION: Supported the Lynn Sage Cancer Foundation in Chicago to help cancer research and to help children dealing with cancer in their family
• JANET POMEROY CENTER: For the second year, provided a Christmas party and bought gifts for mentally and physically challenged children at the Janet Pomeroy School in San Francisco, CA
• ADAM BENDER FOUNDATION: Provided a grant to support children with physical challenges the opportunity to play sports in Kentucky.
• TONY LA RUSSA’S ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION: Teamed with Barry Zito, CC Sabathia and Jake Peavy to fund “Camp ARF” and ARF’s Learning Center designed to help low income children and animals in need
• UCSF CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL: Purchased Christmas tree lights on the Macy’s Christmas Tree as part of a fundraising program to benefit UCSF Children’s Hospital in San Francisco. Served as the honorary chairman for the Christmas Campaign, the major fundraiser for Children’s Hospital.
• MILITARY FAMILIES APPRECIATION: Participated in adopting 25 military families in need and provided Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner as well as Christmas gifts for the children.

If you’re ever in New York, and looking for some good food, be sure to stop by Foley’s in midtown New York and order some “Swish and Chips.” This dish was named after me and every time it’s ordered, a donation is made to Swish’s Wishes. Fish and chips AND donating to charity? Does it get any better?

“Swish’s Wishes” is a 501 (c)(3) non profit organization. Tax Identification 23-7343119.

Strikeouts For Troops was founded by my good friend and former teammate Barry Zito. They raise funds to provide ‘comforts of home’ to our war wounded heroes while being cared for at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Hospital, Brooke Army and other military hospitals. Strikeouts For Troops also provides assistance to their children and families.
Strikeouts for Troops is non partisan and 100% of the money raised is sent directly to help our wounded. This is my 5th season to participate in Strikeouts For Troops and I am proud to say that I honor and support America’s Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guard and Marines working to keep us safe and free. To find out more, visit www.strikeoutsfortroops.org