In the heart of Middle Tennessee, one local leader is proving that compassion, community, and connection can truly change lives.

Toby Swager, founder of the nonprofit Walking with Swager, was recently honored as a “Hometown Hero,” an award recognizing individuals who make a meaningful difference in their communities. Sponsored by the Nashville Predators and local law firm Ponce Law, the Hometown Hero award cast a well-deserved spotlight on Swager’s organization. It was presented at a recent Predators game, where a video highlighting the organization’s efforts played on the big screen, giving thousands of attendees a glimpse into the quiet but powerful work happening in their own backyard.

Since 2017, Walking with Swager and its volunteer coordination arm, Good Works, have become vital lifelines for residents in Tennessee and beyond. Whether responding to natural disasters or stepping in to help vulnerable neighbors when there’s no one else to call, the group’s mission is simple but powerful: serve people in need, whenever and wherever help is required.

"Disasters don’t care who you are—when they strike, they touch everyone," Swager said. "We believe that kind of compassion and support shouldn’t just happen during the worst of times. It should be the way a community functions every day."

Originally inspired by his experiences responding to the 2010 Tennessee floods, Swager—a pastor with over 30 years of experience in youth and benevolence ministries—saw firsthand how people could come together in times of crisis, regardless of background or beliefs.

That spirit of unity shaped the mission of Walking with Swager, which officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2017. The organization works closely with the City of Goodlettsville and partners with churches, local businesses, scout troops, and individual volunteers to identify and meet needs that might otherwise fall through the cracks.

From tarping roofs and clearing debris after storms to repairing plumbing for an elderly neighbor in crisis, the team never turns away from a challenge.

One example Swager shared was particularly telling of their mission: An elderly woman in her 90s found herself in distress when the faucet in her bathroom exploded, creating a geyser that flooded her bathroom and hallway. With no family nearby and no church connection, she called the fire department. However, plumbing isn’t in their wheelhouse. Instead, the fire chief called Swager. "Within 45 minutes, we had her water turned back on," Swager said. "What seemed like a small fix was life-changing for her in that moment."

Over the years, Walking with Swager has coordinated thousands of volunteers to assist with projects ranging from local efforts in Sumner County to disaster relief across Tennessee and neighboring states. They’ve responded to tornado damage in Madison and Hendersonville, partnered with a church in Elizabethton for hurricane recovery, and assisted in long-term relief efforts following the Mayfield tornado.

The organization’s success is rooted in collaboration. Swager has built a wide-reaching network of churches, local businesses, contractors, scout troops, and community members who are ready to lend a hand when called upon. In fact, when the group’s aging truck was no longer able to transport enough volunteers, local businesses stepped up to donate a new one—making it possible for even more hands to reach those in need. “We don’t put limits on how we can help,” Swager said. “Sometimes it’s debris removal after a storm; sometimes it’s helping a single mom repair a fence. We listen, assess, and act.”

Beyond crisis relief, the nonprofit also provides community education, offering storm preparedness classes, home repair skills workshops, and volunteer training throughout Middle Tennessee. Swager and his team have become known as a trusted source—especially for vulnerable groups like seniors, who are often targeted by unscrupulous contractors after disasters. “We want people to feel safe, respected, and cared for,” Swager emphasized. “That’s the foundation of our work.”

Regarding the honor of being named a Hometown Hero, Swager is characteristically humble: “The recognition helps us spread the word,” he said. “It brings in new volunteers and supporters who want to be part of something that truly makes a difference.”

For those inspired by this mission of everyday kindness, there are plenty of ways to get involved. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, and donations help keep the operation running strong.

Learn more at their website www.walkingwithswagger.com  and on Facebook.