Grandparents Day Volunteer Spotlight: Debra Swank
National Grandparents Day is always observed on the first Sunday after Labor Day. In 2025, that’s Sunday, September 7, and we are celebrating volunteers like Debra Swank, whose unwavering commitment to Girl Scouts spans decades and thousands of miles. Debra’s inspiring journey began without being a Girl Scout herself, yet she embraced leadership roles in New Jersey, Nevada, and Virginia, nurturing Girl Scouts and helping them blossom into accomplished women. Debra’s bond with her troop and family illustrates the profound impact a dedicated volunteer can have.
“I was never a [Girl] Scout as a girl. I started in Girl Scouts as a leader in New Jersey when my two daughters were little. My oldest was a ‘Pixie,’ a pilot program that was being tested before Daises was even started. My husband was in the military, so we moved from New Jersey to Nevada, then here to Virginia. I have kept in touch with some of my first Girl Scouts. I love knowing what my girls have become in life. I have a lawyer, teachers, a lady minister, a ballerina , and even an actress, and a beauty contestant. I had many sets of ‘sisters’ through the years.”
Debra served as a troop leader in each state that her family called home and made many memories along the way. Both of Debra’s daughters also went on to become troop leaders; her daughter Jennifer Glaspbell, leads Troop 1018 where granddaughter, Willa, is a Girl Scout Cadette.
“I have five granddaughters. Four live in Florida, and the oldest granddaughters earned their Gold Awards as Juliettes. I enjoy Girl Scouting, it’s something I absolutely love doing with my girls. I am very close to a group of girls we had in York County, and every Christmas we get together. They are now out of college and are scattered, but we still try to see each other. They consider us all like family.”
This year, the troop hosted their service unit’s World Thinking Day event at the Disabled American Veteran building in Gloucester. Along with organizing an event where each troop showcased a country and their culture, the troop took the lead and provided entertainment — skits, songs and dances — by the troop who did a Bollywood performance!
They have done star gazing at Camp Burke’s Mill Pond, conducted a service project over the holidays to make ornaments and cards that were distributed to an area nursing home, and used their cookie proceeds to take a trip to the Outer Banks.
“We encourage girls to work together and be a team,” Debra said. “There are so many challenges they face at school, such as school cliques and bullying. Girl Scouting helps them address these issues and gives them a place to talk about issues in a safe environment while they get support from fellow Girl Scouts. I’ve been a Girl Scout volunteer for 45 years, and I love being with the girls and being part of Girl Scouting. There’s always something in it to make you happy!”
Debra’s story reminds us that true leadership and love are timeless, and on this special day, we thank all the moms, grandmothers, and other family members who stick around for the long haul, shaping lives and building a brighter future, one girl at a time.
Honor your grandparents, or other senior citizens in your life, with this year’s Spread Kindness patch program: Spread Kindness to Seniors – Hand in Hand!
