CLEARFIELD – “If it involves kids, she goes above and beyond.”
This is the description of our first “Hometown Hero”, Linda Swatsworth, the children’s director of the Salvation Army in Clearfield.
She was nominated by Heather Majewsky, who is a volunteer with the group.
“She is a great mentor,” Heather stated. “I look up to her myself, to be honest.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Linda rose to the challenge to continue their various children’s programs in any way she could.
When Vacation Bible School was cancelled, Linda had the idea to prepare boxes with various activities, books and food for those that signed up. These were then distributed through a special drive-thru event.
If any families were unable to make it to the Salvation Army building on Byers Street to get them, Linda took the time to deliver the boxes to the children’s homes herself, Heather said.
Children have their own worries (about the pandemic) and if there is anything Linda can do to help alleviate this, she does it, Heather explained.
While school was closed last spring, Linda arranged to help the school district distribute lunches at two different locations in Clearfield.
If she sees something needs to be done, “she just steps up.”
Currently Linda is busy coordinating items and filling boxes to distribute weekly to students who would normally be involved with The Salvation Army’s after-school program. These include crafts, books, snacks and food for five meals.
Again, because not everyone is able to pick up the boxes, Linda delivers some of them.
“I’m a volunteer. If I could do half of what she does, I would consider myself blessed,” Heather said.
Last fall when the agency’s captain had to take a leave of absence, Linda took over. This included the incredibly busy holiday season.
We received food for the Christmas boxes only two days before the distribution date and had to pack all of the boxes quickly, Heather said. Due to the pandemic, they were limited on how many volunteers could be involved.
“She did a great job” directing this effort, Heather said.
Captain Laurie K. Greenfield, the commanding officer for the Clearfield Salvation Army agreed with Heather’s nomination of Linda for a “Hometown Hero”.
“Every task she takes is done to a fantastic level.”
If we are getting ready for an event, she goes the extra mile: for instance, hanging planets from the ceiling for a space theme.
“The way she goes about doing her job, I have never had an employee like her before.”
“She cares deeply, especially for the kids. She wants them to have a blast and be able to take home additional crafts and snacks,” she commented.
During the holiday season after a large donation of toys and funds were received, Linda directed a second round of applications for assistance.
“She goes full measure in all she does,” Laurie said.
Linda was surprised to hear of her nomination and had nothing but good things to say about Heather, who is “very helpful” and “does whatever we need.”
Linda said her involvement in the Clearfield Area School District lunch distribution was a natural extension of the lunch and literacy program the SA does each summer.
She approached the district about helping out with the daily food disbursement while the school was closed and it turned out they were looking for two additional locations.
Her efforts led to food sites at the Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library and the Clearfield Driving Park.
“I was happy to be a part of that,” Linda said.
Through the school lunch allocation, she met a lot of families, which led to an expansion of their Vacation Bible School, which was done with a special box giveaway.
“We had 219 kids this year,” she said, adding that normally their VBS only has about 40 children.
Their after-school program box effort currently has 60 children, including 13 teenagers.
When the parents come in to get their box, they are also allowed to pick up other donated items such as hats, gloves and masks, she said.
The pandemic has allowed the group to “get to know new families,” and Linda stated that the kids “look forward to receiving the boxes.”
One of the children was so grateful she decided to give back by donating items for the food pantry.
Speaking with Heather, Laurie and Linda, it is obvious there is a mutual respect, which allows them all to continue to help our community.
Linda Swatsworth may be our “Hometown Hero” now but she is quick to downplay her title.
“Our volunteers are very important. We depend on them.”
Linda wanted to acknowledge a donation of $8,000 worth of toys and $5,000 for food from a Biker’s Association for the 2020 Christmas boxes. She also mentioned a recent large donation of food from Renewal by Anderson, for which they are thankful.
If you would like to make a donation to any of The Salvation Army’s programs, you can send a check to them at P.O. Box 987, Clearfield PA 16830 or go to salvationarmywpa.org/hope.
More information on their efforts to help the less fortunate is available on their Facebook page, The Salvation Army Clearfield, PA Corps or you can call them at 814-765-4981.
If you know someone who should be recognized as a Hometown Hero, nominate them by sending an email to editor@gantnews.com.
