Library Manager Honored as 'Citizen of the Year' at Nokesville Day

Each year the Nokesville Ruritans choose one dedicated Nokesville citizen to participate in the Nokesville Day parade as 'Citizen of the Year.' This year that distinguished honor belonged to Nokesville Neighborhood Library Manager Dona M. Swanson.

She was shocked when she was informed by Ruritan member Ken Hinkle, who approached her at the library. She was chosen for her dedication and commitment to any number of community organizations that she has formed or supported.

"It gives me pleasure to serve the public as the manager of the Nokesville Neighborhood Library; it gives me pleasure to work with my 24 to 46 library volunteers, and as a volunteer myself," Swanson said. "We are all either gluttons for punishment to be doing this 'un-paid' work year after year; or we are altruistic souls, who truly want to contribute to the quality of life of others."

As an active community member Swanson helped establish the Nokesville Business Association to give local businesses a voice, and the "social organization" Friends Uniting Nokesville as a resource to raise funds for community projects. However, she is particularly proud of founding Literacy Volunteers of America-Prince William, Inc, which will celebrate it's 21st anniversary in June.

"Years ago, I responded to a need in Prince William County to create an organization that could help adults improve their lives and the lives of their families through literacy," she said.

While she appreciates the acknowledgment of her contributions to Nokesville, she hopes that this serves as a reminder that citizens need to help each other,

"When a 33-year old construction worker learns to read the words 'I can build a house'; when a 54-year old housewife learns to write a check or a love letter to her husband; when a five-year old at the library triumphantly shouts 'I read it all by myself!'; when the committee chair announces another successful Nokesville Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, I know I’ve made a worthwhile contribution to my community. And that is soul-satisfying," she said.

Swanson is originally from Southern New Jersey and it was the similarity of the rural character that attracted her to Nokesville.

"We don’t live roof-top to roof-top as in other parts of the county - this is “country”, with fresh air, green fields, a sense of space. And we know and care about each other. In my opinion, this is life at its best!" she said.