Taylor Swift has been blessed with beauty, musical talent, remarkable poise, and the good luck and good sense to run a successful career in music, with a smattering of acting and modeling for good measure. However, she is more than just a successful entertainer; she is a philanthropist as well, and she believes in giving back.
During the year 2007, Ms. Swift teamed up with the governor of Tennessee, Phil Bredesen, to launch a campaign to protect children against internet sex crimes. She lent her fame to an important directive to communicate with youth and parents about the dangers of online predators.
In 2008, all proceeds from Taylor Swift’s merchandise sales at the 2008 Country Music Festival were donated to the Red Cross for the Nashville Area Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and the National American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. With a consistent eye on the activities of the Red Cross, Ms. Swift donated $100,000 to the organization in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the Disaster Relief Fund for the victims of the Iowa Flood of 2008. She participated in the Sound Relief Concert in Sydney, Australia, and was the largest contributor to the Australian Red Cross at this concert held for the Victorial Brush Fire Appeal.
Ms. Swift also seems to understand her place as a role model for young people, lending her fame to such campaigns as the teen led social change organization, @15, and even contributed a song to their campaign. On her birthday, December 13, Taylor donated $250,000 to various schools she had attended or with which she had been involved.