Gentry Public Library partners with AETN in sweater drive

GENTRY — The Arkansas Educational Television Network and the Gentry Public Library have partnered to sponsor a Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive as a tribute to Fred Rogers and his example of being a caring neighbor. The drive will be held Nov. 1-30.

Members of the community are asked to donate new or gently worn sweaters at Gentry Public Library, 105 East Main Street. A receptacle to collect the sweaters will be located prominently within the library. Sweaters collected in this drive will be distributed by the Arkansas Salvation Army.

“Fred Rogers is an icon for both public media and public service,” AETN executive director Courtney Pledger said. “He dedicated his life’s work to ensuring that children and their families had the educational and emotional tools needed to grow and prosper.

“AETN is proud to work with partners across the state to carry on Fred Rogers’ legacy through the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive.”

The Gentry 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.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive again this year,” Gentry Public Library director Darla Threet said. “It feels so wonderful to connect across the community and to give back to those who need it the most.”

This is the fourth year for the statewide Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive. In 2016, 32 libraries participated and collected more than 5,000 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.