More than 250 sweaters were collected by local schools in honor of Fred Rogers. Lake Orienta Elementary student Lena Hatter (front/center), and (from left to right) Alyssa Varga and Chase DenBeste from Winter Park High School, Orlando Rescue Union Mission Development Director Laurie Fewless, Rollins President Lewis Duncan, Rollins Child Development Center Director Sharon Carnahan and Orlando Union Rescue Mission Board Member Joan Clayton.
WINTER PARK, Fla., March 20, 2008 - More than 50 members of the Rollins community helped celebrate what would have been Fred Rogers 80th birthday. During the special birthday celebration at the Rollins College Child Development Center, students from Winter Park High and Lake Orienta Elementary presented the Orlando Union Rescue Mission with more than 250 sweaters that were collected during a sweater drive. Jackson Heights Middle School also participated in the sweater drive.
"This could not have come at a better time," said Laurie Fewless, Orlando Union Rescue Mission development director. "We are preparing for an Easter banquet for more than 1,200 people, so these will immediately be put to good use. We truly appreciate the efforts of Rollins College. Community partnerships such as these allow us to reach out to those less fortunate."
Rollins College students proclaimed March 20 "Fred Rogers Day at Rollins College: Celebrating the Legacy and Timeless Lessons of Our Favorite Neighbor." Thanks to a grant from Joanne Rogers, Fred’s wife, the playground at the College's Child Development Center recently received new equipment.
Through a national effort by Family Communications Inc. (producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood), people across the U.S. were asked to wear a sweater on March 20 in honor of Fred and remembrance of what it means to be a good neighbor. Fred Rogers graduated from Rollins in 1951 and is the College’s most famous alumnus. Known for creating and producing Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Fred spent his life helping people appreciate what it means to be a caring neighbor.
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