See it and Sell it First at ASI Show Orlando – January 4-6, 2025.   Register Now.

News

Sweda Donates $100K To Warrior Spirit Retreat

Warrior Spirit Retreat aims to help military veterans heal mentally and physically.

When it comes to giving back and paying-it-forward, some companies talk a good line. Top 40 supplier Sweda (asi/90305) is walking it.

The California-based firm announced this week that it recently donated $100,000 to help fund double-amputee-wounded Iraq War veteran Dan Nevins’ Warrior Spirit Retreat, a place where veterans learn to heal from the physical and mental wounds of military service.

Sweda was able to donate the six-figure sum by setting aside a portion of the proceeds from sales of Basecamp, the supplier’s outdoor adventure line featuring products like backpacks, bear-tested coolers, drinkware, multi-tools, tents, weatherproof Bluetooth speakers and more. A veterans’ advocate, motivational speaker and nationally recognized yoga master, Nevins is the official brand ambassador for Basecamp. “Since 2017…Sweda has donated over $250,000 in monies and product to support the Warrior Spirit Retreat,” the supplier said in a statement.

Sweda CEO Jim Hagan, SVP of Sales & Marketing Kellie Claudio and VP of Finance Ginalin Tan presented Nevins with the donation at the recent PPAI Expo. News of the altruistic outreach continues recent positive momentum for Sweda, which announced in December that it will now sell apparel in the promo space. The apparel initiative for 2019 includes Made-in-America basics, an exclusive partnership with fashion-forward surf/skate-inspired brand Mill42, and clothing from retail brands like Adidas, Oakley, Champion and more.

With reported 2017 North American promotional product revenue of $91.6 million, Sweda ranked 19th on Counselor’s latest list of the largest distributors in the promotional producs industry.