Giving and kindness have always been key ingredients to success in Jer's life and business. Since Jer's Handmade Chocolates started as gifts to friends, he has continued the tradition of giving. Today, Jer contributes product and time to charitable organizations each year. He also regularly volunteers his own time to schools and groups, as he has done for more than 15 years.

For example, Jer currently serves on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Food Bank – a cause he has long supported. Jerry Swain’s connection to the Food Bank, in fact, goes back to before he started his namesake company. For years, Jer hosted annual holiday parties (which friends appropriately titled "Jer's Balls") and during these events thousands of pounds of canned goods were donated by Jer and his guests and given to local Food Banks.

Jer’s work with the San Diego Food Bank over time has also entailed soliciting significant product and monetary donations from large food companies, helping organize community contribution drives, and serving as a public spokesperson for the charity during radio and television appearances and interviews with regional print media.

In addition, Jer for several years hosted the annual Jer’s Chocolate Experience event, with all profits benefitting local charities such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Jer’s strong sense of community is also reflected in his frequent talks at schools in the Southern California area. A natural speaker whose own entrepreneurial story is invariably an inspiration to everyone from schoolchildren to college students, Jer offers insights on selecting the right career; parlaying what you learn in class to what you’ll experience in the real world of business; starting your own company; taking risks in life; and the importance of staying in school.

Beyond speaking in traditional classroom settings, Jer also has lead discussions at Junior Achievement, a national non-profit that teaches young people basic economics and practical tools for success generally not taught in school.