L to R: Back: Diana Gibbs (NVRH), Emily Brooks (NVRH), Phyillis Sweeney, Amanda Sweeney, Cynthia Waldner (NVRH), Rebecca Emerson (PSB), Allie Beliveau (PSB), Melanie Carter (PSB), Holly Ingerson (PSB) and Jessica Kimbell (PSB). Front: Max Salvas; Tina Smith (CNB); Renee Jenks (CNB), Robert Ruffner (PSB); Barb Byrne (NVRH)

Donated items included coats, ski pants, hats, gloves, scarves, boots and blankets

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St. Johnsbury, VT: This year the annual Paul Sweeney Memorial Coat Drive, which was held at the Good Shepherd Catholic School on Saturday, November 1, was a great success! Hundreds of coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, mittens, blankets, and more were distributed. Thanks to the volunteers from NVRH, Passumpsic Bank, and Community National Bank (CNB) and to everyone who donated so many great items to keep people in our community warm this winter. Community members generously donated hundreds of items to this event and volunteers guesstimated that this was the largest collection and distribution to date, far exceeding last year’s.

A widely-attended community event for over 21 years!

Paul Sweeney had a 27-year career with Central Vermont Public Service Corporation (CVPS). 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 his honor.

After Paul’s death Passumpsic Bank, Community National Bank and Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) partnered to continue Paul’s legacy and coordinate the Coat Drive ever since. This event wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated volunteers that show up year after year.

Daughter Amanda Sweeney and her mother, Phyllis continue to support the coat drive in Paul’s memory.
For community members who could not make it to the coat drive, Northeast Kingdom Community Action (NEKCA) will have the remaining items available for any individuals looking to add some warm clothing to their winter collection. Visit them at nekcavt.org