A Heart For Others
Quinn Swart Gives Back to Her Community
Over the past year, nine-year-old Quinn Swart has been inspired to help the world around her. Hugely impacted by her father’s 2023 cancer battle, she wanted to give back to young cancer patients by not only donating her hair but putting money toward Locks of Love.
Quinn began making bracelets with clay beads and took the finished wristlets to an Iowa State football game, where she sold them to people tailgating. She would walk right up to large groups of people to show off her creations and ended up selling 150 bracelets within two hours.
“When the flood happened this summer, she wanted to find a way to specifically help friends who were affected and also show the community that we are all in this together,” said her mother, Mandy Swart.
The Flood of 2024 has dramatically impacted countless families and businesses in Northwest Iowa, with Spencer being one of the communities significantly affected. While Swart’s home in Spencer was okay, the family businesses, Matuska Taxidermy in Spirit Lake and Cotton Graves in Spencer, had faced flooding issues. The days and weeks following the flooding touched Quinn’s heart, especially after one of her friends lost everything.
“I heard what some of my friends were going through and I wanted to find a way to make them smile,” Quinn said. “One of my friends had to spend four hours on her roof and lost all her stuff. I can’t imagine what that was like.”
Quinn started putting together a variety of merchandise made with fun sayings and colorful silicone beads, including wristlets, which are stretchy and attach right to keys, as well as car charms, key chains, badge reels, pens, wine stoppers and cork screws.
“I really enjoy seeing the combinations Quinn puts together. They are so creatively designed and eye-catching. Quinn’s favorite product is her key chains and car charms, and she especially likes bracelets made with blue. Each includes a focal point that she then matches the beads with,” Mandy added.
Any of Quinn’s creations can be personalized or have special sayings. Many finished pieces have special bling, sayings or are geared towards local sporting teams or college teams. They range between $10- $12 and are being sold at All Fur Love, Custom Creations, Mary’s Boutique, Matuska Taxidermy, all in Spirit Lake, Miss Behavin’ Boutique in Arnolds Park, and Design Masters Salon and the Squire Shoppe in Spencer.
Quinn has been putting the profits toward creating gift boxes that are filled with gift cards to local businesses and giving them to families needing an encouraging touch. “We can’t imagine what people are going through and wanted to create a gift for all ages. This was a special way Quinn wanted to give back,” Mandy said. “Even more special, Mary at Mary’s Gifts, Andrea with Custom Creations and Nancy at Design Masters have been donating all their profit, right back to Quinn, to put toward her gift boxes as well.”
Since July, Quinn has sold over 500 pieces and has made over 1,000 products. Some of the excesses have been donated or are in inventory. She has raised close to $4,000 for flood victims, which has gone towards gift baskets, donations to the shelters, and food deliveries during and after the flood.
During recovery efforts, Quinn and her family helped deliver pizza to families. In a separate occasion, they partnered with Ben Miller of Subway and brought subs to those helping. Quinn really wanted to help a close friend, who had lost everything in the flood.
They made a special trip to Wal-Mart to purchase a few things. "She wanted a pillow, art supplies and things like shampoo and conditioner,” Quinn said. “She lost everything, and I just wanted to find a way I could brighten her day.”
By the end of August, Quinn had donated eight gift boxes that included a Spencer Strong note and wristlet, along with $350 in gift cards. Once enough money has been made by Quinn’s products, they will put together more gift boxes and donate them to people recommended by co-workers and friends. There are a lot of people still not in their homes and Quinn plans to keep making products so she can help as many people as possible. All of Quinn's available bead creations can be found on her Facebook page, “Quinny Locks,” or by scanning the QR code to the right.
For anyone who would like to nominate a family for a gift box or has any special-order requests, you can contact Mandy at mandymatuska@yahoo.com. They would love to continue to provide local families with a special gift this Christmas. Products can be purchased at All Fur Love, Custom Creations, Mary’s Boutique, Matuska Taxidermy, Miss Behavin’ Boutique, Design Masters Salon and The Squire Shoppe.