The Paul Sweeney Memorial Coat Drive Now Accepting Donations

ST. JOHNSBURY, Vt. (October 5, 2023) – The annual Paul Sweeney Memorial Coat Drive, which will be held at the Good Shepherd Catholic School, 121 Maple Street, 9 a.m. – Noon on November 4, is now accepting adult coats and children’s winter outwear.

Paul Sweeney had a 27-year career with Central Vermont Public Service Corporation. As Senior Energy Use Advisor, his duties included home visits where he would suggest ways to make homes more energy efficient. In November 2003, Rev. Jay Sprout and Paul Sweeney organized the first coat drive in memory of Sandy Broughton, a woman who organized previous coat drives and passed away that year from cancer. Coats were collected and distributed (with the help of the Salvation Army) to people in need in the Northeast Kingdom. Two months later, Paul Sweeney passed away at the age of 50. The following year the coat drive was renamed in Paul’s honor.

“I’m so happy my husband Paul’s legacy lives on, 20 years later,” Phyllis Kehley Sweeney said. “He would be very pleased to know his name is still associated with the coat drive and keeping our neighbors warm over our long, cold winters. I am very proud to be one of the volunteers, along with Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Community National Bank and Passumpsic Bank, who keep his name alive and continue his work. Paul would also be overjoyed to know our daughter, Amanda Sweeney, is following in his footsteps by participating in this event to help with its success.”

Last year, the coat drive provided approximately 665 coats; 176 hats, gloves, and scarves; 17 pairs of boots; and 20 blankets to community members.

“We are excited to work with our community partners to help provide families and individuals with warm clothing during the winter months,” Passumpsic Bank Marketing Assistant Stacy Allen said. “We appreciate being able to give back to keep others warm and to honor Paul Sweeney’s legacy.”

There’s still time to donate. Drop off new and/or clean, gently used winter coats and children’s winter outerwear at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital Chapel and Kingdom Internal Medicine, Passumpsic Savings Bank (St. Johnsbury, Lyndonville & Danville) and Community National Bank (St. Johnsbury & Lyndonville) by November 2.