Sweater Drive Honors Mr. Rogers

The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is honoring Fred Rogers' March 20th birthday for the third year by collecting gently used sweaters March 14th through 18th from 8 to 5 on the 4th floor of their downtown office at 925 Liberty Avenue.

Holly Geitner, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, says the sweaters for men, women, and children will then be distributed to people in need through groups like Operation Safety Net, Salvation Army, Bethlehem Haven, and the Downtown Ministerium. Groups or individuals bringing sweaters to drop off can put their flashers on and call 412-566-4190 for help unloading.

Family Communications, the non-profit Fred Rogers founded, is asking people nationwide to wear their favorite sweaters on March 20th and to show their neighbors they care.

Man of Innovation Celebrated

The Heinz History Center is welcoming a local icon to be included in their long-term exhibit Pittsburgh: A Tradition in Innovation. Fred Rogers, of the public television program Mister Rogers Neighborhood, will be profiled for his innovative work in children’s programming. A life sized figure of the man will also be unveiled on Saturday. It will be in conjunction with "Won't you be my Neighbor?" day on March 20, the day of Mr. Rogers' birthday.
Heinz History Center Spokesman Mike Mackin says the figure of Mr. Rogers captures his “essence and spirit.” He is sitting on the actual bench where he tied his shoes everyday on the show, and has a wide smile spread across his face.
However, Mackin says the figure was not easy to create. He says it’s difficult to determine how old Fred Rogers should be, which changes the color of his hair and the skin on his face. They chose a figure to be a 57-year-old Rogers.