'He’d give the clothes off his back': Freddie Swain continues to give back to the Northside

Giving back isn’t new to Miami Dolphins receiver and North Marion High School alumnus Freddie Swain. His mother, Brenda Geromel, had seen it years before he started Freddie Swain Foundation Inc., an idea sparked by 11-year veteran and Vanguard alum Drayton Florence during his senior year at the University of Florida.

Swain started the program with $500 and generations of generosity in his heart. He’s provided 20 families with Thanksgiving meals across two schools on the north side of Ocala in the foundation’s inaugural year.

“He wanted to give back to the community and the school he attended," Geromel said.

Today, Swain provides meals for 120 families attending North Marion High School, North Marion Middle School, Fesseden, Sparr, Anthony, and Reddick-Collier elementary schools. That’s a 600% increase in less than five years.

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Swain’s giving journey begins years before he was born. His grandmother had a long history of philanthropy, and it influenced his mother. Swain learned the value of lending a hand in his closeness with both.

“I’m proud of him,” Geromel said. “He tries to do what he can for everybody. Freddie does a lot of other stuff for people. He’d give the clothes off his back if he had to.”

Geromel’s witnessed Swain in action several times. On a trip back from a Florida-Georgia game while Swain was still a student, he paid for the meal of the person behind him in a Subway drive-through.

On another occasion, Swain went to pump gas and returned with no shoes or shirt. He’d given it to a homeless man he’d met at the gas station.

“The way it was instilled in him, I guess he’s just passing it forward,” Geromel said.

Before his stardom in Florida, he did what he could through volunteer work in his hometown. He routinely joined late North Marion assistant coach Darrell Collins during trips to elementary and middle schools, where they read to younger kids and taught older kids football techniques.

Swain’s career has taken him across the country, and he continues to give to his toes. His career started with a two-year stint with the Seattle Seahawks. The logistics for the Thanksgiving drive became a little haywire with the time change.

“When he was in Seattle, that was rough,” Geromel said. “He would call all night, and we’d be like, 'Oh, we’re sleeping, but you have to do what you have to do.'”

This year, Swain is a member of the Miami Dolphins organization. A car ride from Hard Rock Stadium to the northside could have him home in five hours. Five hours away from the community he loves and wants to see prosper. Five hours from the Winn-Dixie and Hardee’s off 441 highway that the foundation partnered with in its second year.

“What he’s done over the years has meant a lot to our families,” said Sonja Christmas, whose son grew up with Swain. “I’ve delivered some of the baskets, and the families are very grateful.”

Swain’s not one for publicity, but he’ll inevitably have more coverage. The foundation has dabbled in Christmas events like Shop with a Jock and donating to local churches. His foundation has mulled plans of launching free football camps.

Several things motivate people to give to strangers. Swain’s may be tied to preventing children from going without during the holidays.

According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida’s food insecurity stands at 34.8% for families with children. It’s hovered around 13% in Marion County over the last 10 years. The Freddie Swain Foundation is helping that curve every year in the neighborhoods he grew up in.

“I always told him if he made it to the NFL or did whatever he needed to do, he needed to give back to the community,” Geromel said. “Because If it wasn’t for the community, he wouldn’t be where he is.”

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Freddie Swain Foundation increases community assistance for holidays