The Union County Public Library System is once again doing its neighborly duty, hosting the 10th annual Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive in partnership with Arkansas PBS.
Inspired by Fred Rogers' daily routine of changing from a coat and loafers to his signature cardigan and sneakers, the sweater drive is an annual reminder that being a good neighbor can be as simple as donating one's unworn outerwear to help keep another person warm through the winter.
"He always wore a sweater, and I think he was part of doing clothes collection drives way back in the day, so we're keeping up his memory," said UCPLS Executive Director Michael O'Connell.
Branches will be closed today and Saturday in observance of Veterans Day; however, when they reopen on Monday, Nov. 13, each of the system's six branches will have collection boxes for local residents to drop off any donations in.
O'Connell said that in addition to sweaters, the UCPLS will accept any kind of outerwear.
"We'll take any sort of clothing, but we prefer outer clothing – jackets, coats, mittens, scarves, hats, sweaters – something to keep you warm," he said.
Clothing donated should be in usable, wearable condition – new or gently worn, according to Arkansas PBS.
"Better is better, but we'll take it all," O'Connell said.
The sweater drive will continue through Nov. 30, O'Connell said, and the following week, UCPLS staff will give whatever clothes were donated to the Salvation Army.
"We got 75 (articles of clothing) last year, so we're hoping for more than that," O'Connell said. "We've had some fairly successful drives."
UCPLS branches will be closed again later this month in observance of Thanksgiving; O'Connell said the branches will close early on Nov. 22 and reopen on Nov. 27.
Those interested in donating their gently used winter clothing should visit any of the UCPLS's six branches, which include the Barton Library, 200 E. 5th St. in El Dorado; the Harper Memorial Library, 300 N. Myrtle St. in Junction City; the Huttig Branch Library, 204 Frost St.; the Norphlet Public Library, 106 E. Padgett St.; the Smackover Public Library, 700 N. Broadway St.; and the Strong Public Library, 246 W. 2nd St.
Fred Rogers, known for his long-running PBS show "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," was a major proponent for children's development, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his efforts. He dedicated his life to treating children with kindness and respect in an effort to show those children the value of treating others in their community the same way.
"As human beings, our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has – or ever will have – something inside that is unique to all time," he is quoted as saying.
To learn more about Fred Rogers and his continuing legacy, visit fredrogerscenter.org.
For more information, visit ucpls.org.