ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS

CHARLOTTE CHAPTER

2007 PHILANTHROPY AWARDS NOMINATION

OUTSTANDING LEGACY AWARD

SUZANNE SWARIN

Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region is honored to nominate Suzanne (Sue) Swarin for the Outstanding Legacy Award for 2007.  In her death, Sue planned gifts to four charities that had helped her during her lifetime, totaling over 91% of her estate.

Sue made plans to help four of her favorite charities: Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, the North Carolina Dance Theatre, Buddy Kemp Caring House, and Presbyterian Cancer Centers.  When we asked her brother, Stephen Swarin, if we could nominate Sue for the Outstanding Legacy Award, he told us, “The family and friends of Sue Swarin would be proud and delighted to have her nominated for the "Leave a Legacy" award.  You know that Sue didn't make her gifts for the "PR value."  She did it because she had been helped by the four charities and wanted to "pass it forward."  We hope that by publicizing her actions, we may encourage others to do the same.”

Sue was a fight attendant all of her life.  When asked why she did not go to college (some thought she should have been a lawyer because she loved to debate), she said she had always wanted to be a flight attendant because she wanted to travel--she followed her dream.  The phrase 'never met a stranger' just doesn't do justice to Sue's ability to make and keep friends. She met people on the airplane, when traveling, through the Buddy Kemp Center, her cancer support groups, and in many, many other venues. Her ability to make and keep friends was unmatched and was very evident to her caregivers and close friends as her illness progressed. She received cards from near and far with memories and touching comments from people who knew, respected, and loved Sue.  She died on July 9, 2006, with many girlfriends at her side.

We feel Ms. Suzanne Swarin is a true example of charitable planned giving in the Charlotte region.  We are honored to have been be one of her favorite charities and proud to nominate her for this meaningful award.