Won't You Wear a Sweater on March 20th?
From Family Communications Inc.
(Pittsburgh) - Since 1968, when Mister Rogers' Neighborhood made its national public television debut, Fred Rogers began each episode with his simple signature question in song: "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"
In honor of what would have been Mister Rogers' 80th birthday on March 20, fans of his show are being asked to wear a sweater, as Fred did on each show.
Mr. McFeely, aka David Newell, the public relations director for Family Communications, Inc. (the nonprofit company founded in 1971 by Fred Rogers) has a special request.
"We're asking everyone everywhere, from Pittsburgh to Paris, to wear their favorite sweater on that day," he asks in his best speedy delivery voice. "It doesn't have to have a zipper down the front like the one Mister Rogers wore on the program, it just has to be special to you."
But wait, there's more.
It just so happens that Sweater Day is part of Pittsburgh's year long 250th anniversary celebration and also part of the first-ever "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Days (March 15 - 20).
"We wanted to recognize Fred in a way that would reflect his deep appreciation of what it means to be a caring neighbor," explains FCI's Margy Whitmer.
As a result, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Days, WYBMND for short, was born as a means of promoting neighborliness throughout Fred Rogers' own backyard, the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.
Throughout WYBMND, more than 30 organizations ranging from libraries (Carnegie Libraries of Pittsburgh and others throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania), to museums (The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, the Senator John Heinz History Center and The Carnegies) to other venues (The New Hazlett Theater, The Pittsburgh Opera, the Pittsburgh Zoo and the PPG Aquarium, the National Aviary and Gilda's Club Western Pennsylvania) have signed up to participate. Highlights of the celebration also include performances by musicians including members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Watch the video below for a special message from Mr. McFeely about WYBMND.
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