Summary
Patrick McBee, a retired aide who had previously taught at local schools in Morgan County, West Virginia, noticed that many children lacked appropriate winter clothing. After retiring, he observed that some students did not have coats to wear during school hours due to security concerns. In response, McBee proposed the “Hoodies from Heaven” initiative while serving as a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 20 years. The council at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church launched this charity program in 2024 to collect new or gently used hoodies for underprivileged children. Since its inception, Hoodies from Heaven has distributed over 300 hoodies among six local schools. Each hoodie includes a note that reads “God loves you.” The program was initiated with the support of the McBee’s wife Judy and spread beyond their county during severe flooding in September 2025. The initiative is part of the Knights of Columbus mission to care for children, widows, and orphans. Patrick shared an inspiring story of a child who received one of these hoodies, expressing how important it was to provide warmth and encouragement to vulnerable students.
Key Topics
Patrick McBee, Hoodies from Heaven, Morgan County
