People want to help; people want to do good; and Toby Swager wants to make that easier by connecting communities to organizations that need help. As a full-time volunteer from Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Swager understands the importance of volunteerism and how it strengthens a community.

Swager runs a nonprofit that is ever-so-fittingly called Walking with Swager. This nonprofit uses the motto “Neighbors Help Neighbors” and uses that mindset to work in volunteer coordination, disaster relief, and building hope within the community.

Toby explains that when he and his church began Walking With Swager, it was because “we realized… we were doing things, but we weren’t really affecting the community as a whole.” Instead, their previous efforts had only been targeting members of their church.

“I really felt like that needed to change.”

Soon after, he contacted the city of Goodlettsville, asking for any volunteer opportunities. His group was tasked with repainting historical markers. Though it seemed like a simple, mundane task, this led the city to reach out and partner with more church-based organizations in Goodlettsville.

There is a gap between the churches, the community, and people who want to do something to help, and by building relationships with the city, emergency responders, and organizations, Swager is finding the volunteers they need.

“We want to try to bridge that gap,” Swager says.

Swager has helped in many different service projects, as large as disaster relief and as small as relacing someone’s floodlights. It is clear from his service that each action, no matter how small, has an impact on a person.

“Do something that’s needed in the moment,” Swager advises. “If you can meet [the need], great! If you can’t, buy a gift card.”

Contact the city or its emergency managers, and find out what is needed at that moment.

To hear more about Toby Swager and how to get involved in your own community, listen to his interview on our podcast.