FARRELL

Two Farrell women are being honored Saturday for their work in the community and with Southwest Gardens.

Shirley McLean and Inez McSwain have been chosen as the honorees for the 15th annual Community Reunion Day in the Park.

A lifelong Shenango Valley resident, Mrs. McLean was born and Sharon and now lives on Spearman Avenue in Farrell.

Dr. Kimberly Richards, director of Southwest Gardens, said Mrs. McLean was chosen as one of the honorees because of her dedication to the community. She described Mrs. McLean as a "cheerleader."

"She (Mrs. McLean) has been a real voice and a spirit of encouragement," Dr. Richards said. "She's a person who believes something good can come out of Farrell, and that she could be a part of it.

"In many ways she epitomizes what it is to be a Christian," she said. Dr. Richards added that after 29 years with Southwest Gardens, Mrs. McLean is still supportive and very committed.

"I was quite surprised. I really felt a little humble that anybody would think enough of me to honor me," Mrs. McLean said.

She said she was the first secretary of the Southwest Gardens board and became involved after her friend and the organization's founder, Martha Richards, asked for help. Since that time Mrs. McLean said she's been involved in many activities including Minority Health and work in her church, Greater Morris Chapel, Farrell, where she is church clerk and was a former Sunday school teacher and assistant superintendent.

"It's who you surround yourself with," Mrs. McLean said of her incentive to volunteer in the community. "I've done nothing so outstanding. It's who you connect with. I felt good about [volunteering]. I'm contributing to the community."

Mrs. McLean recalled the difficult work of the founding members of Southwest Gardens who spent many hours praying and working with people in the neighborhood "so our dream will come in focus."

"I am a positive figure for Farrell. I believe in Farrell," Mrs. McLean said. "Farrell will rise from the ashes and will become a viable city. I would not want to live any other place."

Mrs. McSwain, a resident of the Shenango Valley for about 50 years, is being recognized for the work she does behind the scenes where many people don't see her contribution to the community, Dr. Richards said.

Mrs. McSwain is the quiet, silent supporter who "always comes in and stands in the gap," Dr. Richards said. "When you're tired, and you think you don't have any help, she's there."

Dr. Richards said Mrs. McSwain has a sense of quality and pride in her work. She said she's every dependable and always there to help out.

"I was really surprised," Mrs. McSwain said of learning she is an honoree. "I'm just too thrilled."

She said she is a member of Valley Baptist Church, Farrell, where she is on the Sharing & Caring Committee, in the choir, the head of the kitchen and part of the Missionary Circle.

Mrs. McSwain she also became involved with Southwest Gardens through Martha Richards. "Anything she has asked me to do, I've never said no," she said.

As part of the Missionary Circle, Mrs. McSwain said she enjoys visiting ill people in hospitals and in their homes.

"We are supposed to help each other," she said of her volunteer efforts.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharonherald.com