About the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive
“Whether we’re giving or receiving, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world”
- Fred Rogers
"We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
- Fred Rogers
For over 30 years, through his gentle and loving nature, 
Mr. Rogers taught millions of little boys and girls how unique they are. More than teaching how to read or basic math, he taught us the most important lesson of all: civility and the importance of caring for others. He taught these lessons to small children so they could grow to be compassionate and sensitive adults who were sensitive and wanted to help others.
This winter, MPT, through collaboration with Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, is following in the footsteps of Mr. Rogers by restarting its successful Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive. The last Sweater Drive, held in 2006, saw a significant increase in donations statewide—and we hope that we can see an even greater increase in donations this year. The Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Sweater Drive is a campaign, starting Nov. 16, 2009 and running through Jan. 1st, 2010, in which members of the community can donate new or gently used sweaters and other clothing to their local Goodwill Store or Goodwill Donation Center. Through the funds raised by donated goods, Goodwill supports job training, employment, and support services to individuals with disabilities and other disadvantaging conditions. For a full list of locations to donate, visit goodwillches.org.
Now more than ever, as a result of the current economic crisis, Marylanders will need the help of a kind neighbor. If you or your organization is interested in hosting your own sweater drive, or would like more information please contact jweinberg@mail.mpt.org or (410)-581-4018.
If your school or business wants to get involved in the sweater drive, here are some helpful tips:
- Pick a visible, central location to collect sweaters. Sweaters can be collected in any large marked box. Flyers to place on your collection boxes: [PDF of flyer]
- Let people know about the sweater drive. It's a good idea to talk about the sweater drive in newsletters, emails, and any other creative way you can think of to spread the word about the Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive. [PDF of flyer]
- Collect new or gently worn sweaters and other clothing. The drive will run from November 16, 2009 to January 1st.
- Let us know about your donation site and your sweater drive. Contact Jordan Weinberg at MPT at (410) 581-4018 to get put on our Google map of donation centers. We want to make sure everyone knows what a good neighbor you are.
- Deliver your gently worn sweaters and clothing to a drop-off location. See map, below:
View Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive Donation Centers on a larger map.
As part of National Family Week (November 22-28), MPT will air "Speedy Delivery", a documentary that examines the work of David Newell, who has played Mr. McFeely for over 40 years, and how he carries on the message of Fred Rogers. Winner of Best Feature Film at the Children’s Film Festival Seattle and the IndieFlix Audience Award at the Hollywood Feel Good Festival, "Speedy Delivery" offers a behind the scenes look at the day to day life of one of the great icons of children's television. We hope you enjoy the program.
Speedy Delivery airs
Thursday November 26 at 7pm on MPT.
Have a speedy delivery!
Watch David Newell talk about the documentary "Speedy Delivery."
