Barret Swatek

Barret Swatek Instagram – Bottom row, 4th from the left is a woman named Donna Greene. I just heard she passed away. She was not a celebrity the way most folks define that term. But she deserves the kind of send up that so many celebrities receive when they have passed. Donna changed the lives and direction of thousands of teenage girls for 3 generations. I was one one of them. At an age when so many things are confusing and intimidating and terrifying, Donna provided a community for young women to share in fellowship and faith and fun. My teenage years weren’t without its challenges for sure but if I were to examine why I didn’t face the extreme mental health crisis that so many teens are facing now (yes, taking away the dark influence of social media that didn’t exist then) I’d say it has everything to do with the camaraderie, conviction and higher purpose Donna’s outreach provided. I’m not in this photo but I was there that day. It was taken at the Birmingham Airport on February 16, 2012 – one of the darkest days of my life. I had flown home to bury my little brother who’d died two days before. I got off the plane still shellshocked. I walked past a group of girls at another gate and I heard “Barret, Barret Swatek..” and it was Donna Greene. I hadn’t seen Donna in over 15 years at least. She was with her “girls” headed on a mission trip. She knew my brother had died. She hugged me and then asked me if I wouldn’t mind letting them pray for me right there. I said I wouldn’t mind at all. And for a moment, something lifted. She was one of the first of many angels who got me through the next few days. Interesting how life can come full circle. To all the girls in this photo, thank you for helping me that day. And to Donna, thank you for giving your life to teenage girls. We needed you. And to all the teenagers who are struggling and reading this, may you find a Donna Greene in your life. ♥️✝️ | Posted on 05/Feb/2022 02:22:18