SCRANTON — A North Scranton parish’s Summer Swim Drive is making summer sunnier for people of all ages at city pools.
For the 10th year, parishioners at Mary, Mother of God Parish are collecting swimming-related attire and items at the parish on William Street and donating them to children and families at three pools in the city for its Summer Swim Drive.
The parish’s Community and Service Coordinating Team began the drive last month and it will continue through the end of the month.
The drive began 10 years ago when parishioner Jennifer Pitts’ daughter Claudia Pitts got her first job as a lifeguard at the Weston Park pool. She noticed people at the pool swimming in jeans, even pajamas, and didn’t have towels to dry off. The mother gave her daughter towels to give to people.
Since then, organizers estimate they have donated thousands of swimming and summer-related items. This year, the committee is accepting new swim suits, goggles, flip flops, sunscreen and towels for people of all ages.
The public can drop off items during regular Mass times, Saturdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 7:15, 8:30 and 11 a.m.; or at the rectory during normal business hours, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to noon. People can also drop off monetary donations to the rectory.
Committee members plan to give them away throughout the summer to children and families at the Weston Field House, Weston Park and Connell Park pools.
With this year being the drive’s 10th year, committee members put up inflatable palm trees and clotheslines of paper swimming suits at the collection sites in the entrance to the sanctuary, and plan to give away pizza donated by Pepper’s Pizza and Subs in North Scranton and ice cream. Nurses on the committee will give free blood pressure screenings at giveaways.
Parishioner Ruthann Jones, who has been involved in the drive since its inception, said it feels amazing to give the supplies to families and especially likes seeing children’s smiles when they receive an item.
“Most of them are so full of gratitude and they’re thanking you and it’s good to see that as well,” she said.
Pitts said seeing reactions from moms to their families getting new swimming attire is priceless.
“When they come to the pool that day they’re getting a brand new swimsuit and you see how happy they are,” she said.
Donated swim towels are seen in Mary, Mother of God Parish at Holy Rosary Church in North Scranton Thursday, June 18, 2026. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Parishioner Brandy Wheaton said children feel better and more confident in themselves when they get to pick out their own swimming suit, especially one that is new.
City officials appreciate the donations as well. Sunita Samad, manager of the Parks and Recreation Department, which oversees city pools, said the drive means a great deal to the community. She said not having items for the pool can be a barrier to some families to enjoy swimming.
“They don’t have to feel segregated or left out,” Samad said. “I think it’s a really good thing for a person’s mental health knowing that these things are provided to them.”
With the cost of rent, utilities and groceries rising, she said having the supplies from the parish for free is one less expense for them to worry about.