Media Contact:
Neily Jones, Promotion & Marketing Associate
904.318.2633 • nbraren@wjct.org
23rd Annual Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive Hosted by WJCT Public Media Returns This November
Community-wide collection of new and lightly used sweaters, jackets, socks and blankets begins Saturday, November 1, 2025
October 29, 2025 — Jacksonville, Fla. — WJCT Public Media is partnering with VyStar Credit Union, Suddath and the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships — with additional support provided by Humana Healthy Horizons in Florida — to present the 23rd annual Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive. Cold-weather clothing and items — such as new or gently used sweaters, jackets, socks and blankets — will be collected November 1–30, 2025, and distributed to neighbors in need at the Clara White Mission and City Rescue Mission on Wednesday, December 10.
Donation drop-off locations include the WJCT Public Media headquarters at 100 Festival Park Avenue in Jacksonville, as well as most VyStar Credit Union branches throughout North Florida, both Suddath locations and all Tom Bush Family of Dealerships businesses.
Public media organizations across the United States have collected sweaters in honor of Fred Rogers, host of the beloved PBS series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, for more than two decades. Last year, WJCT Public Media’s Sweater Drive collected and distributed more than 10,000 pounds of warm clothing and blankets to Northeast Florida residents.
“For more than two decades, the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive has united our community in kindness,” said David McGowan, President & CEO of WJCT Public Media. “At WJCT, we’re proud to bring together partners and neighbors who share our belief that small acts of care can make a big difference. This initiative continues to reflect the heart of public media — service, compassion and connection.”
“At VyStar, we believe that kindness is a cornerstone of community,” said VyStar SVP/Foundation President Patricia McElroy. “Our continued partnership with WJCT Public Media for the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Sweater Drive reflects our commitment to helping neighbors in need, one sweater, one jacket, one warm gesture at a time. We’re proud to support this effort and invite the community to join us in making Northeast Florida a little warmer and a lot more caring.”
Suddath, a global moving company headquartered in Jacksonville, will again provide transportation and logistics support to help deliver donations to local distribution partners.
“We are honored to continue our participation in the Mr. Rogers Sweater Drive,” said Chad Gaither, Household Goods Operations Manager at Suddath. “At Suddath, we firmly believe in the strength of community and the significance of kindness. By assisting in the collection and delivery of donations to those in need, we pay tribute to the legacy of Mr. Rogers. Together, we can make a difference and help our neighbors stay warm this season.”
The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships also returns as a presenting partner for 2025 — marking its ninth consecutive year of support.
“The Mister Rogers’ Sweater Drive is one of our favorite traditions,” said Megan Bush Del Pizzo, Vice President of the Tom Bush Family of Dealerships. “It’s incredible to see how much warmth this community can generate when we come together. We’re proud to be part of it year after year.”
DONATION DROP-OFFS:
WJCT Public Media
100 Festival Park Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Suddath Jacksonville
Both locations in Duval County can be found here.
VyStar Credit Union
Most locations in Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Putnam, Nassau and Bradford Counties. Click here for participating branch locations.
Tom Bush Family of Dealerships
All locations in Duval County can be found here.
To download a flier to share about this event, click here.
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About WJCT Public Media
WJCT is the community-owned and operated public media organization serving Jacksonville and the First Coast since 1958, using television, radio, digital media, and live events to help community members learn, share, and grow. For more information on WJCT’s in-depth programming content, log on to WJCT Online at wjct.org. Like WJCT on Facebook (facebook.com/wjctjax) and follow WJCT on X/Twitter (@WJCTJax) and Instagram (@WJCTJax).
About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with 78 full-service branches across Florida and Georgia, 1 million members and assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the top mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,300 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. VyStar members have access to 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.
About Suddath
Suddath has been a trusted name in Jacksonville and Florida moving for over a century. Since 1919, Suddath has grown into a global transportation, relocation management, specialized logistics and workplace services company, serving 180 countries with 2,400 employees around the globe. Each year, we move more than 80,000 households, including more than 38,000 military families through our local, long-distance and international moving services. We also provide end-to-end logistics through our NXTPoint Logistics brand, employee relocation, and commercial moving services. With more than 45 locations, a global partner network and over 3.5 million square feet of warehouse space, Suddath provides the national and global reach to take you anywhere you need to go. For more information, visit suddath.com, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
About Tom Bush Family of Dealerships
The Tom Bush Family of Dealerships has been operating in the automotive business for nearly a century. The late Tom Bush Jr. first arrived in Jacksonville and opened a Volkswagen dealership in 1970. The family group has grown to offer Volkswagen, Mazda, BMW, MINI, VinFast, pre-owned vehicles and a certified collision center now under the leadership of Tom’s son, John Bush. Vice Presidents Megan and Brian represent the fourth generation of Bush family members in the business.
They have been voted the “Best Car Dealership in Jax” by Bold City Best, one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Jacksonville Business Journal and one of the “Healthiest Companies” by the First Coast Worksite Wellness Council.
Whether a customer purchased a car from Tom Bush, Sr. in 1918, or is purchasing a car today from one of the Tom Bush dealerships, the buyer becomes part of the family. We treat our employees how we expect them to treat our customers, with honor and integrity. As Mr. B repeatedly said, “the most important part of business is people. Treat everyone with respect, be a man of your word, ask yourself if the business transaction is fair to everyone involved, and nurture long-term relationships. Think of your employees as family members as they are the life-blood of a dealership.”