Sweeney Coat Drive seeks used winter clothing

St. JOHNSBURY - The eighth-annual Paul Sweeney Memorial Coat Drive will be held Saturday, November 6, at the Salvation Army on Railroad Street in St. Johnsbury.  The coat drive will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
 

Donations are now being solicited to ensure an adequate supply of items for the hundreds of families that turn out at the CVPS-sponsored event each year.
“Paul Sweeney was one of those people who couldn’t say ‘no’ when someone needed help,” said Bob Morey, a senior energy consultant at Central Vermont Public Service, who now organizes the annual event.  “Whether at CVPS or out in the community, Paul was the kind of person people always turned to when an important job needed to be done.”
 

Sweeney, a longtime CVPS employee, began the coat drive in December 2003. Over 1,000 coats were collected and distributed with the help of the Salvation Army during that first event. Just one month later, Paul died without warning, and the Paul Sweeney Memorial Coat Drive was renamed in his honor.
“The coat drive is the perfect way to remember Paul,” said CVPS spokesman Steve Costello, who volunteered with him at the first drive.  “He was one of the most giving people I’ve ever known, and he was involved in a long list of events and projects to improve life in the town of Danville, where he lived, and St. Johnsbury.  The event lives on to help those in need, and to honor the hard work and leadership Paul gave to the community.”

Since 2003, thousands of people of all ages have benefited from the Paul Sweeney Memorial Coat Drive, receiving new coats, hats, mittens and boots. Some of Sweeney’s own items have been distributed through the drive, and his family members delight in helping to select warm outerwear for those in need.
“We are thrilled to see how Paul’s generous spirit lives on through this event, and how the community he served for many years continues to benefit from his work,” Costello said.
 

Winter coats, snow pants, boots, hats, mittens, gloves and other items in good, clean condition may be dropped off at any of the following locations before Friday, November 5:
Passumpsic Savings Bank offices in Danville, St. Johnsbury and Lyndonville.
By appointment at Central Vermont Public Service, 603 Main St., St. Johnsbury.
Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, 1315 Hospital Drive, St. Johnsbury.
 

Children’s items are especially needed.