In honor of Idaho Public Television’s 60th year in operation, the PBS affiliate’s team of early childhood educators hosted the state’s first Be My Neighbor Day event in Rupert, Idaho, on Saturday, September 27, to an estimated 325 kids ages 2-8 and their families.
By My Neighbor Day is a community event organized by local PBS stations, inspired by the values of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. These free, family-friendly events encourage kindness, community building, and learning about being a caring neighbor through activities like meeting PBS KIDS characters, interacting with community helpers, and participating in service-oriented projects.
“Every person there made the kids feel welcomed and celebrated. It was a fun, engaging day filled with learning and friendship,” says Terri B., who brought her two grandchildren.
The event included an Idaho Public Television service project for the community, with attendees assembling 250 hygiene kits donated to the Magic Valley Humanitarian Center. The kits contain soap, a washcloth, shampoo, a comb, tissue, and toothpaste, plus toothbrushes donated by Delta Dental.
Throughout the day, families lined up to meet and take pictures with characters Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat from the popular PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
“We had so much fun and my 3-year-old niece just loved meeting Daniel Tiger," says Steph R., a Rupert parent. “I hope you bring more events like this to our area.”
Local partners hosted their own science, math, and art activity booths in Historic Rupert Square, including DeMary Memorial Library, Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children, Idaho STEM Ecosystem, Rupert Boys and Girls Club, United Way of South Central Idaho, Minidoka Memorial Hospital, SPARK Afterschool, Burley Public Library, Herrett Center for Arts and Science, Minidoka National Historic Site, and Idaho National Laboratory.
The community event was funded by a grant from Fred Rogers Productions, which creates quality children’s media and experiences that model kindness, respect, and enthusiasm for learning; the nonprofit also produces Alma’s Way, Odd Squad, Donkey Hodey, Peg+Cat, and Through the Woods.
“Our first Be My Neighbor Day was a huge success,” says Kari Wardle, Idaho Public Television Director of Education, “and we are already planning future Be My Neighbor Days in other Idaho communities.”
