Darby Borough mayor honors local youth helping community

DARBY BOROUGH, Pa. (WPVI) -- Darby Borough Mayor Helen Thomas led a group of business and community leaders to applaud a group of young people Friday for their efforts to help the less fortunate.

Twenty-five-year-old Kenny Swinton is the man behind the group called U.G.L.Y., an acronym for You Gotta Love Yourself.

In the last year, they have been supporting families in need, feeding and clothing them and assisting them with household bills.

Swinton said his mom inspired him to start the group.

"My mom she's into the community, you know, she's been giving back since probably like '08," said Swinton. "I was as a problem teenager, I wasn't going to school. I was cutting classes and she got me back on the right track."

Swinton enlisted four other young men and a woman who wanted to help in the effort. On Friday they were getting ready for a fundraiser to sponsor 10 families in need.

"For the holidays, I'm doing 10 baskets with turkeys in them, food, toys and stuff for the kids," said Swinton.

They are the pride and joy of Darby Borough, working hard to help make things right for those in need. The word is spreading and people are coming to help.

Several business people showed up Friday night to present checks to help the group in their efforts.

Mayor Thomas has seen a lot of young people in her borough going the wrong way, but Friday night she was beaming with pride.

"You guys are giving me hope that there is a future in our young men," said Thomas.