Ben Schwimer had never felt the joy of riding on a swing.

That changed Tuesday when the 11 year-old Tamaqua boy, who uses a wheelchair, was pushed high into the air on a new accessible swing at Tamaqua’s South Ward Playground.

His smile grew wider as South Ward Playground Association volunteer Tom Scholf, who was pushing the swing, asked him if he wanted to go higher.

“Yes!,” Schwimer said.

His response was met with applause, smiles and even tears from community members gathered to dedicate the swing at the Penn and Oak streets playground.

The event, organized by the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, celebrated the donation by EMD Electronics in Hometown.

The playground association’s quest for an accessible swing began more than a year ago. Volunteers attended a Tamaqua Borough Council meeting, noting that it broke their hearts when at least two children in wheelchairs would visit the playground — but couldn’t ride swings like their peers.

“Council kindly agreed to split the cost with us,” said Melissa Mehallic, playground volunteer.

The association began mailing requests for donations to local businesses.

“We had sent out probably around a dozen when we received a call from Gary Clemson of EMD Electronics, who greatly informed us that they would be generously covering the cost of the swing for the playground,” Mehallic said.

The swing was installed by Tamaqua Borough crews alongside a handicapped accessible walkway, and Schwimer simply steered his wheelchair to it, backed up and was secured for his ride.

“This project could not have been possible without a lot of people’s donations and help,” Mehallic said.

Mehallic also thanked Larry Wittig of Tamaqua Transfer for donating a smaller, ADA-accessible swing.

Robert S. Carl, executive director of the Schuylkill Chamber, called the wheelchair-accessible swing’s placement “a milestone.”

“EMD’s contribution of a handicapped-accessible swing is more than just a piece of playground equipment,” he said. “It is a statement that every child deserves the joy of play, side-by-side with their good friends.”

Clemson said he was proud to represent EMD Electronics, which began as Air Products and Chemicals.

“Everyone takes pride in working with our community and making everyone feel included,” Clemson said.

All three Schuylkill County commissioners attended the event.

Commissioner Barron “Boots” Hetherington noted that two of his nephews have special needs.

“So I know how important it is for people with special needs to be part of the community and have the opportunity to have recreation and to have fun,” he said.

Chairman Larry Padora noted that while he grew up in Tamaqua’s Middle Ward, he often played at the South Ward Playground.

“It’s such a great thing to see that this playground is thriving,” he said.

The event also brought representatives from the offices of state Sen. David Argall, state Rep. Jamie Barton and U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser; the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce; and Tamaqua Area Community Partnership.