March 5, 2025
Community Giving Foundation: Danville will honor two recipients with the 2025 “Neighbor of the Year” award in honor of Robert N. Pursel on Saturday, May 3rd during the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Event. The event committee is pleased to announce Mayor Bernie Swank and the Danville Riverside Food Bank as the 2025 recipients for their example of generosity and community service.
MAYOR BERNIE SWANK
Bernice “Bernie” M. Swank was born in Waynesboro, PA, and was the youngest of eight girls. She attended Quincy/Waynesboro High School and continued her education at Lock Haven, Bloomsburg, Penn State, and Bucknell Universities. She went on to teach Cosmetology. In 1973, Swank moved to Danville, creating and maintaining a successful hairdressing business on Mill Street for many years called “Bernie’s Hair Emporium”. She later partnered with her husband, Wilbur “Red” Swank, at the same location, changing the name to “Swank’s Salon and Hair Replacement”.
In 1987, Swank was elected as the first female Mayor of Danville Borough. In 1995, she became a Montour County Commissioner, a position she held for 12 years. At the beginning of her political career, Swank’s vision was to get involved and make her voice heard for the people of her community. She wanted to especially let women know that they can get politically involved and positively impact the community and the lives of its residents. While serving as Mayor, Swank participated in many initiatives to strengthen the community. One of her biggest accomplishments was helping to bring another grocery store into Danville, believing that people should have comparative shopping choices. Swank belongs to the national, state, and local cosmetology associations, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, SEDA-COG, Children and Youth, Maria Joseph Housing Board, Geisinger Community Advisory, CSO, 4-H, and is involved with many other organizations. She has also spent time volunteering at the American Cancer Society with the “Look Good Feel Better—Women with Cancer” program.
After over 30 years of public service in Danville and Montour County and an impact felt by so many residents, Swank will retire on December 31, 2025. “Holding the position of Mayor was never about the title, but about the desire to serve the borough and community,” she remarked. Swank will continue to be active in her community after retirement while she takes time to enjoy her family.
DANVILLE RIVERSIDE FOOD BANK
The Danville Riverside Food Bank was founded in the mid-1980s when a group of women from several Danville area churches recognized an unmet need in the community. In partnership with numerous churches, businesses, and individuals throughout the area, the Food Bank continues to provide for the needs of the Danville community through the distribution of fresh produce, meat, canned and dry goods, milk, eggs, and bakery items each month.
The Food Bank partners with the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in Harrisburg and Williamsport to purchase food at reduced rates and relies on donations from area grocers, churches, and other organizations. Monetary donations received from the community are used to buy additional food and resources for clients. In 2024, the organization served an average of 400 families per month through distributions.
The work of the Danville Riverside Food Bank is only possible through the large group of active volunteers who help with giveaways each month. Volunteers have expressed finding their own reward in helping serve the community together. The impact of the Food Bank is a celebration of collective community service and a heart for our neighbors.
NEIGHBROS HELPING NEIGHBORS
Award recipients will be recognized at this year’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors Event on Saturday, May 3rd at the Pine Barn Inn. The event benefits the Neighbors Helping Neighbors endowment fund of the Community Giving Foundation, which supports unmet needs in the Danville community by granting to nonprofit organizations making a difference right here in our community. For more information on the event and sponsorship opportunities, visit csgiving.org/neighbors. Individual tickets will go on sale March 18th.
Community Giving Foundation: Danville is an affiliate of the Community Giving Foundation, which manages over 375 charitable funds and makes grant investments to improve the quality of life in the Central Susquehanna region. Learn more here.