PITTSBURGH – WQED proudly presents the 11th annual Be My Neighbor Day, a celebration of kindness and what it means to be a caring neighbor. Inspired by Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the beloved PBS KIDS series from Fred Rogers Productions, this annual event fosters diverse community-building by encouraging families to connect with each other and their neighbors, while promoting a welcoming environment for all.
Last year, over 600 attendees supported the community of Canonsburg. This year, Be My Neighbor Day is coming to the McKees Rocks community. WQED and Fred Rogers Productions, supported by PNC Grow Up Great, invite neighbors to attend this free event on Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Focus on Renewal’s Father Ryan Arts Center.
“We are thrilled to continue our work with WQED and PNC Grow Up Great to bring Be My Neighbor Day to communities throughout Southwestern PA,” said Paul Siefken, President and CEO of Fred Rogers Productions. “This year’s event in McKees Rocks is sure to be a fantastic family day while celebrating neighborliness, community, and kindness.”
Be My Neighbor Day exemplifies WQED’s approach to education. Learning Neighborhoods, the flagship program of WQED Education, brings together schools, libraries, and families to provide educational enrichment and opportunities for connection—building vital bridges between students and family resources.
“Connecting with the community for the planning and preparation of Be My Neighbor Day has been an enriching experience. Along the way, we have made partnerships with the school district and other community organizations for supporting the educational needs of families beyond school by equipping them with PBS learning resources,” said Abha Vaishampayan, WQED’s Learning Neighborhood West Manager. “But most importantly, we have been able to recognize the ongoing efforts of the community in empowering their families and children.”
This year’s event embraces the theme of resilience, honoring the unwavering strength of McKees Rocks. Guests will enjoy interactive theater, hands-on activities, historical exhibits, and special showcases highlighting the community’s spirit. Plus, children will have the exciting opportunity to meet Daniel Tiger at the Borough Office for a special meet-and-greet.
To learn more, visit our Be My Neighbor Day website: wqed.org/bemyneighborday
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About WQED
WQED Multimedia starts conversations and creates experiences that educate, entertain and inspire our neighbors in Pittsburgh and across southwest Pennsylvania. Founded in 1954 as an experiment in educational community-supported television, WQED was a forerunner to PBS.
Our content creators produce impactful stories that delve into the rich mosaic of our region’s past, present, and future. We cover a wide range of topics, from arts and culture to pressing societal issues that impact our lives. We profile remarkable individuals and organizations who work to strengthen our communities. Our Learning Neighborhoods support children, in partnership with area schools and libraries, and extend to high school students exploring media careers through WQED’s Creator Academy. Known as “The Voice of the Arts,” Classical WQED provides a vital platform that amplifies our vibrant and diverse cultural assets, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
WQED Multimedia operates WQED-TV (PBS); WQED World; WQED Create; WQED Showcase; WQED PBS KIDS Channel; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel; plus various streams, apps, and interactive experiences.
About Fred Rogers Productions
Fred Rogers Productions was founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 as the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood for PBS. In the years that followed, it created hundreds of episodes of this much-loved program and extended Fred’s values and approach to other efforts in promoting children’s social, emotional, and behavioral health while supporting parents, caregivers, teachers, and other professionals in their work with children. Fred Rogers Productions continues to build on Fred’s legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media and engages new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom. The company’s highly rated children’s series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat, Odd Squad, and Through the Woods, have earned 30 Emmy® Awards among other important honors. The company’s latest series are Donkey Hodie, the innovative puppet series inspired by characters from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and Alma’s Way, an animated series created by Sonia Manzano. Fred Rogers Productions strives to inspire a lifelong enthusiasm for learning through its series as well efforts beyond broadcast including games and interactive offerings, community engagement activities, and much more. For more information, visit www.fredrogers.org or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, the first original series from Fred Rogers Productions since Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, brings the children’s television pioneer’s legacy to life for a whole new generation of young viewers on PBS KIDS. Every episode of the well-loved series showcases two distinct stories starring 4-year-old Daniel Tiger and his friends, who invite viewers to join them as they explore the colorful Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Irresistible musical strategies reinforce the unique theme of each show; preschoolers and parents can sing along and incorporate them into their daily lives. Executive producers are Angela C. Santomero, chief creative officer at 9 Story Media Group; Ellen Doherty, chief creative officer of Fred Rogers Productions; and Vince Commisso, president & CEO, 9 Story Media Group.
About PNC Grow Up Great
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com.