Russellville, Arkansas: The Pope County Library System, along with more than 80 libraries and schools around the state, recently wrapped up the annual Arkansas PBS Mister Rogers Neighborhood Sweater Drive. This is the third consecutive year that the Pope County Library System has collaborated on this community service project, which pays tribute to Fred Rogers’ memory and caring legacy. According to the Arkansas PBS website, “Fred Rogers [himself] began the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Sweater Drive in 1997 as a way to encourage the neighborly spirit.”
Mister Rogers said, “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.” Thanks to local heroes in Pope County, the library system collected a total of 218 new and gently used sweaters to share with people in need in our community. The Pope County Library in Russellville collected 108 items, which they shared with the River Valley Shelter for Battered Women and Children; Hector Public Library collected 72 items and shared those with Hector Public Schools; Dover Public Library collected 22 items to share with Joseph’s House of Russellville; and Atkins Centennial Library collected 5 items, which went to Atkins Public Schools.
Pope County Library Manager Sarah Moore expressed gratitude from staff throughout the system, saying, “We would like to thank everyone that helped us help those in need at the River Valley Shelter and other community organizations.”
