We had the good fortune of connecting with RJ Swist and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi RJ, what are you inspired by?
Inspired isn’t the word I would use. One conversation with a Marine Veteran friend struggling with mental illness is where RJ’s Mission Foundation was sparked. During that conversation with my buddy, he needed help and told me he was going to kill himself right then. I didn’t know what to do but knew what I did next would matter. Saying it inspired me would be strange to me. I would say that conversation was the epiphany I needed to start something greater than myself.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
RJ’s Mission Foundation is dedicated to providing life’s essential provisions to our Veterans and first responders. We are most proud of the consistency of our services, providing monthly hot meals and supplies to our Veterans at Patriot Villas. Our foundation program, “Fuel Our Brave,” serves meals to our local fire stations to let our firefighters know we thank and appreciate them for protecting our community.

The journey has not been easy. There have been plenty of obstacles along the way with marketing to spread the word about the foundation and getting consistent donations to help grow to reach more of our heroes. We overcame these challenges by staying steady and slow to build a strong volunteer team. We still struggle with funding, so we learned to stretch our budget for our services.

What sets our foundation apart is a strong commitment to serving our heroes, as they are the backbone infrastructure keeping our nation and community safe and protected. We proudly say that 100% of donations benefit our Veterans and first responders.

Though we may be small, our impact is monumental, and the numbers testify to that. With your support and generous donations, we’ve provided monthly contributions for essential provisions to 1500 Veterans. Additionally, we’ve served 570 hot meals to our Veterans at Patriot Villas. Our foundation makes an impact that changes the lives of our heroes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a good buddy of mine were to visit the Charleston, SC area, I would show them Johns Island, SC, which is 20 minutes outside Charleston City. I would show him the Lowcountry, starting with our Angel Oak tree, beautiful beach, and waterways, and meeting the folks in the area. The people here are what the Lowcountry is about and how they treat others. The folks of Johns Island are honest and kind, knowing what it means to be a united community.

The best places on Johns Island are our local eateries, mom-and-pop restaurants, breweries, and shops. We would visit local joints where the locals are all you need to have a good time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my wife, Kim, who has supported my passion and purpose for a greater cause with no questions asked. Kim is the backbone that keeps me grounded and pushes me forward when I struggle.

Website: www.rjsmissionfoundation.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rjsmissionfoundation/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RJsMissionFoundation/

Image Credits
RJ Swist, Kim Curtis, Chris Hodgdon

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.