Home > Community > Community Events > Paul Sweeney Coat Drive

Paul Sweeney Memorial Coat Drive

In December 2003, longtime CVPS employee Paul Sweeney worked to organize the company’s first coat drive in St. Johnsbury. Over 1,000 coats were collected and distributed in that first event with the help of the Salvation Army. Just one month later, Paul died without warning, and the Paul Sweeney Memorial Coat Drive was renamed in his honor.

Since then, CVPS has hosted the coat drive each year, and every December, hundreds of people of all ages turn out to find new coats, hats, mittens and boots. Some of Paul’s personal coats have been distributed through the drive, and his family members delight in helping to select warm outerwear for those in need. We are pleased to see how Paul’s generous spirit lives on through this event, and how the community he served for many years continues to benefit from his work.