Earle Library partners with AETN for Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive

Earle Library partners with AETN for Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive

2016 statewide effort to honor late AETN executive director

ralphhardin@gmail.com The recent dip in outside temperatures serves as a stark reminder that for many, having something warm to wear isn’t a guarantee.

To address that need, once again, the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) and the Earle Public Library have partnered to sponsor a commuitywide effort to clothe those in need. The Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive is back. The drive serves as a tribute to Fred Rogers, star of the longtime PBS favorite, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” and his example of being a caring neighbor. The drive runs through the end of December.

Members of the community are asked to donate new or gently worn sweaters at Earle Public Library, 703 Commerce Street. A receptacle to collect the sweaters will be located prominently within the library. Sweaters collected in this drive will be distributed locally by the Good Neighbor-Love Center.

This year's statewide drive is being held in honor of AETN Executive Director Allen Weatherly who passed away Nov. 1.

“For me, Fred Rogers epitomized the heart of educational public service media's mission,” Weatherly had said. “His life was devoted to helping children and their families grow and prosper.

“His legacy is carried on through the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive. We have been thrilled with the tremendous response to the drive and are proud to help our neighbors and keep Fred Rogers' spirit alive.”

Earle Public Library is one of more than 30 libraries across Arkansas participating in this year's statewide Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive. A complete list of libraries and additional information is available at aetn.org/sweaterdrive.

“The Earle Public Library Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive is a wonderful way to reach out and help neighbors in need in our community and across Arkansas,” said Earle librarian P.J. Taylor.

“We had a great response to our drives over the past two years.

“We are especially happy to have the opportunity to introduce The PenPal Readers and Earle's young community members to Fred Rogers and his legacy. His mild and reassuring manner built up children's neighborly spirits by encouraging them to work together and give of their time. Earle is proud carry on this important mission by serving our community and the Good Neighbor-Love Center.”

This is the third year for the statewide Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive. In 2015, 20 libraries participated and collected more than 2,500 sweaters.

To help set the tone for a “comfortable” visit with his young viewers, Rogers put on a sweater and changed into sneakers as a way to help children settle in for “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.” All of Rogers' original sweaters were knitted by his mother, Nancy McFeely Rogers. Each year, she knitted a dozen sweaters and gave them to family and close friends at Christmas.

Over the course of more than 40 years, “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood,” PBS' longest-running children's series, earned four Daytime Emmys. As a testament to his legacy, Rogers received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 and was recognized in 2002 with a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, for his contributions to children's development and education using broadcast

television.

The Fred Rogers Company was founded by Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood” for PBS. In the years that followed, it not only created hundreds of episodes, but it also extended Rogers' values and approach to other efforts in promoting children's social, emotional and behavioral health and supporting parents, caregivers, teachers and other professionals in their work with children.

The Fred Rogers Company continues to build on his legacy through a wide variety of media and by engaging new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom.

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 130 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. Additional information is available at salvationarmyusa.org.

The Arkansas Educational Television Network is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).

By Ralph Hardin