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PARKERSBURG - He's a world champion and the toast of New York, but Parkersburg native Nick Swisher never has forgotten his roots.

Swisher was the guest of honor at Tuesday's board of directors meeting of the United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley, where he was recognized for his $10,000 donation.

Making a special presentation to Swisher was the group's executive director, Joyce Mather.

"Having a Major League Baseball player from your hometown is neat,'' she said. "Having a member of the New York Yankees, that pretty much rocks.''

Mather noted that Nick's father, Steve Swisher, and his wife Christy, who accompanied Nick to the ceremony along with his girlfriend, actress Joanna Garcia, had been long-time givers to the local charity.

Mather noted as a result of gifts like Swisher's, 22,839 children's lives were touched in a positive way, including 8,733 children who participated in recreational programs.

Swisher, who was presented with a giant container of Hershey's Kisses, cited the example of his parents.

"It's great to be part of a family that has instilled giving in me,'' he said. "I do my best to represent Parkersburg. It's not the biggest place, but to me it's home. I want to keep this going. It is a wonderful thing you guys are doing.''

Jim Spanner, the publisher of The Parkersburg News and Sentinel, presented Swisher with a plaque depicting the newspaper's poster of Swisher celebrating his World Series championship.

Swisher seemed every bit at home with the small group of community leaders on Tuesday as he did just weeks earlier riding in the New York City parade with his teammates to 3 million adoring fans. He's a small town boy who has been adopted by the biggest city in America.

Swisher remembers his first day wearing the famous Yankee pinstripes.

"I had played for the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics, who had no rules,'' he said. "Then I go to the Yankees where you're not allowed to have facial hair and there's no music in the locker room.''

That latter rule has been changed, thanks to Swisher and teammate Johnny Damon, who Swisher described as his "rock 'n roll partner.'' It seems Damon -whose locker is located next to Swisher's - had a karaoke machine. Swisher had a CD of Dance Party '99. So they put it in, turned it on and the sedate Yankee clubhouse never has been the same.

Rick Reilly, who many consider the greatest contemporary sports journalist, penned a recent column crediting Swisher with being the catalyst of the Yankees first World Series title since 2000. He wrote about Swisher's positive attitude and how he kept everybody loose.

Swisher's is the last locker members of the team see before they step out onto the field at Yankee Stadium. Rather than having his be just another locker, Swisher personalized it. He started working on a mural of photos of himself and his teammates as depicted in the press. He would change it virtually every day and it became a ritual for his teammates to check out the latest additions. It may seem like a simple act, but it was one that brought the Yankees closer together.

Swisher is loving every minute of life in New York. And why wouldn't he? He's making millions. He's playing for the most storied franchise in the history of sports. And he's dating a television actress who seems to be having as much fun as her beau.

In a sport where everyone looks so serious, Swisher is a breath of fresh air. He's always laughing, always smiling.

"I learned that I play my best when I'm loose rather than if I'm having a day where I'm snapping at everyone,'' he said.

Yet, baseball life can be demanding. Swisher has played for three teams in three years. He and his Yankee teammates played 211 games from the start of exhibition season on Feb. 25 to the last out of the World Series on Nov. 10.

It's a grind, and it can grind you down if you let it, which Swisher won't.

Yet, he will be the first to tell you it is hard work. He started working on the 2009 season three days after the 2008 season -which he spent as a member of the Chicago White Sox - ended in disappointment. It was a rough year, and one Swisher didn't want to experience again.

He needn't have worried. His hard work plus his new surroundings presented a new opportunity and Swisher took full advantage of his new lease on baseball life.

He went from a spot pinch-hitter to a part-time starter to a fixture in the lineup of the World Series champions.

He's not only the toast of the Big Apple. But he's also the Pride of Parkersburg.