Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation

SOAR’s mission is to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in outdoor accessible activities and help provide them with accessible equipment.

SOAR provides outdoor accessible recreational opportunities for physically challenged people and families and individuals in need with a key focus of improving the lives of those with spinal cord injuries. We will motivate, inspire and create opportunities for people with disabilities who are emotionally, physically and therapeutically in need.

Take A Pie For SCI

How can you help?

The fundraiser “Take a Pie for SCI and SOAR” essentially, will be similar to the Ice Bucket Challenge from years ago for ALS. Consumers will have the option to donate funds to the fundraiser for Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI), or they can post a video on social media of them taking a pie to the face. The pies, of course, could be a paper plate topped with Reddi Wip.

Share your videos on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook with the tags #SOAR #SCI #Pie4SCI.

Email our challenge to your friends and family.

Donate, even five dollars, it will help make a difference

We hope you will partner with SOAR to enrich the lives of children and adults with spinal cord injuries and help them to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Feel free to contact Brian Swift at 708-269-7064. This particular campaign, Take a Pie for SCI is set up to help SOAR reach their goals of helping others that are disabled and to get involved in outdoor recreational activities.

So, please join me in taking a Pie for SCI ….. post your video and donate on the go fund me link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/take-a-pie-for-sci-amp-soar

Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation – SOAR http://soarnonprofit.com/take-a-pie-for-sci/

Donate to GoFundMe for Take A Pie For SCI

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Contact Us

Email

soar@soarnonprofit.com

Phone

708-269-7064

Address

10254 W 195th St

Mokena, IL 60448

More About US

Our Story

It is rare that someone can take a “tragedy” as an opportunity to change their life and help others. That is exactly what Brian P. Swift did. In 1979 on the day after Christmas, Brian Swift, at the age of 17, broke his neck playing football leaving him a C5/6 quadriplegic, with permanent paralysis from his chest down. In the process of his rehabilitation, he became aware of the importance of recreation for rehabilitation, not only to improve mobility, but to improve mental well-being. Brian saw this event in his life as a challenge and an opportunity to assist others. This life-changing event developed into his personal crusade.

Brian went back to school and received his bachelor’s degree from Saint Xavier University and his Juris Doctor degree from DePaul College of Law.

Brian Swift overcame the challenge of his disability utilizing sports for himself and others by coaching football and basketball for over twenty years. He continued hunting, fishing, and taking long rides in the outdoors after his accident to combat the emotional and physical strains of his disability.

The father of three adopted children and a husband of over 27 years, Brian developed his strategy of success, CIA: Commitment, Integrity, and Attitude. By using this strategy, Brian leaves people invigorated to face their own struggles with hope, faith, and purpose!

In his own words: "This is a TRUE STORY At the age of 17 I broke my neck playing football the day after Christmas. A month later while I was at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago my I was faced with a decision that would forever change my life and the lives of others.

Both of my parents had an amazing impact. My mom has a faith based strength about her that is unmatched and she has instilled that in me. She is selfless and gives to others like no other. As for my father, his integrity, commitment and work ethic are unmatched and this story will tell you more about my dad.

My dad came up to visit me at lunch from work. It was several days before my 18th birthday. After 15 minutes he stood up and put his overcoat on and started to walk out. He turned to me and said “ if your going to be negative I will not come up to visit you”. He said “ IT IS YOUR JOB TO KEEP OUR FAMILY UP”. If you’re up we will all be up!There was no decision to be made, I am a Swift and I have never let him, my family or friends down, I have been blessed.

What a shame for a person to grow old without truly knowing the beauty & strength of what you are capable of. There was a big change in my attitude after my accident. I had an appreciation and zest for life that I never had before. In life you can either get bitter or get better. I chose better and created my own reality.

I always felt blessed in certain ways. I just jumped back into life and one thing I always wanted to do coach football and basketball at my grammar school. Two years after my injury I starting coaching football at my grammar school. I fell in love with inspiring people. I spent over 30 years as a leader responsible to inspire and develop others and I was very successful at it. I was born to inspire and motivate, it is a fulfilling way to live. The perspective, knowledge and wisdom I gained through 39 years of being disabled is indispensable. I am also aware of what the human spirit or soul is capable of when you push it to the limit and beyond. I try to inspire and teach others to live with strength and substance, while constantly feeding yourself with the good, pure and positive.

My wife and primary care taker is an amazing angel. Like my kids words can not do her justice. She is beautiful inside and out. I have three kids ages 16, 18 and 24 and they can outwork any kid out there. At a young age they learned how to give to others because they did, with my guidance, the things I could not physically do. Giving and helping others is just a part of their lives.

I have spent years thinking of a BIG idea to create more awareness and funds to assist more people. I was out on one of my two mile wheelchair rides thinking about SOAR and BAM ''Take a Pie for SCI &SOAR" came to me. SOAR has one big fundraiser every year. We apply for grants and seek out corporate giving to help with raising funds. We also have a go fund me movement going. At this time no one gets paid for the time they donate to running SOAR.

SOAR’s mission is to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in outdoor accessible activities and help provide them with accessible equipment.

There are many benefits to accessing the outdoors: 1) mental, physical & emotional health and wellness, 2) spending quality time with family & friend, and 3) most importantly to view and enjoy all of God’s outdoor creations.

We believe that recovery consists of healing the mind, not just the body and that recovery is a journey, not a destination. Being in touch with God’s creation draws us closer to the healing journey of love, grace, peace and joy of fellowship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

SOAR’s ultimate goal is to create an accessible outdoor recreation park that will provide families of individuals with physical disabilities with the opportunity to participate in activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, four wheeling, bicycling, and more. SOAR is trying to acquire 30 to 40 acres to build this accessible recreational park. If you know anyone with land that may be willing to partner with SOAR please pass on our contact information. We hope you will partner with SOAR to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities and help them to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

Other goals include helping more people year after year. The people we help have a wide range of disabilities from all over the country. We help disabled veterans get out fishing and hunting. We help kids get therapeutic tricycles and hand cycles. We sponsor wheelchair athletes looking to participate in outdoor recreation or sports. We sponsor a disability hunt and a triathlon. SOAR is always open to hear what your needs are."

It is our hope that SOAR can provide a place and services to help others build their bodies and minds to be healthier and happier. As SOAR grows with the help and generosity of others, it is our goal to positively effect as many lives as we can through the wonders of the great, accessible, outdoors.

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OPEN GRANT OPPORTUNITY

Thank you for supporting Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation.

Please send soar@soarnonprofit.com an email request for our grant form and we ill send it to you, or you may download a copy by clicking here.

Contact Us

Get in touch and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We look forward to hearing from you!

We hope you will partner with SOAR to enrich the lives of children and adults with spinal cord injuries and help them to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Feel free to contact Brian Swift at 708-269-7064. This particular campaign, Take a Pie for SCI is set up to help SOAR reach their goals of helping others that are disabled and to get involved in outdoor recreational activities.

So, please join me in taking a Pie for SCI ….. post your video and donate on the go fund me link below.

https://www.gofundme.com/take-a-pie-for-sci-amp-soar

Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation – SOAR http://soarnonprofit.com/take-a-pie-for-sci/

Donate to GoFundMe for Take A Pie For SCI

Follow Us

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Contact Us

Email

soar@soarnonprofit.com

Phone

708-269-7064

Address

10254 W 195th St

Mokena, IL 60448