Watch CBS News

Boy Scout Collects Sweaters For Needy

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It's spring time now, but when a chill hits the air once again next fall, hundreds of people are going to keep warm thanks to a 13-year-old boy scout from Point Breeze.

For the last month, Jacob Spence's hobby has been collecting sweaters.

"Some of them I have at my house, and some here at the facility," said Spence. "We're still trying to get an exact count and sort them by size so we can hand them out."

After learning of the need, he helped organize a collection at Heritage Place in Squirrel Hill as part of his Boy Scout troop project. And when you think of cardigan sweaters, it's only fitting to do it in honor of Mister Rogers.

"I've guesstimated over the last 10 years, we've collected about five million sweaters," said David Newell, also known as Mr. McFeely.

Now, Spence is hoping his hard work will allow him to become one of the younger Eagle Scouts.

"I've been spending a lot of time on this and I've been working on getting it pretty early," he said.

Spence said his goal was to collect 500 sweaters, but he's now at 600 and counting.

If you have any cardigans lying around the house and would like to give, donations can be dropped off at:
Heritage Place
5701 Phillips Avenue
Squirrel Hill
Or call Christa Magness at (412) 586-3710

RELATED LINKS:
Heritage Place
More Local News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.