Amid biting winter cold sweeping across many parts of the United States, a small but heartfelt initiative in rural West Virginia is making a big difference in the lives of vulnerable children. Through a project aptly named “Hoodies from Heaven,” members of the Knights of Columbus are ensuring that children from struggling families stay warm while also receiving a message of care and dignity.
The initiative was inspired by Patrick McBee, a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, who retired in 2021 and began working as a substitute aide in public schools in Morgan County, West Virginia. During his time in classrooms and school corridors, McBee noticed a troubling reality: many children arrived at school without adequate winter clothing. While coats are often restricted during the school day for security reasons, students still faced the cold inside and outside school buildings.
Determined to find a practical solution, McBee came up with the idea of providing hoodies—comfortable, warm, and permitted in schools. With more than two decades of service in the Knights of Columbus, he brought the idea to his council at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the only Catholic parish in Morgan County. The response was immediate and enthusiastic, leading to the launch of Hoodies from Heaven.
The initiative collects donations of new or gently used hoodies, which are then distributed to children identified as being in need. Since its launch in 2024, the programme has delivered more than 300 hoodies to students across six local schools. Each hoodie carries a simple but powerful note tucked inside: “God loves you.”
Speaking to EWTN News, McBee said the scale of need became clear after conversations with local school authorities. He learned that more than 1,000 families in the county are classified as financially distressed, a figure that does not include those who have not registered with the Department of Health and Human Resources. The gap in support for older children was especially striking.
McBee’s wife, Judy, pointed out that while many charitable programmes focus on infants and young children, school-aged children are often overlooked. “There was nothing specifically aimed at helping elementary, middle, and high school students,” she said. Drawing from the Knights’ mission to serve children, widows, and orphans, the couple felt called to respond where the need was most visible.
To ensure the donations reach the right children discreetly and respectfully, hoodies are distributed by teachers and bus drivers, who are best placed to recognise students struggling with inadequate clothing. This approach preserves dignity while ensuring timely help.
Although rooted in Morgan County, Hoodies from Heaven has also extended support beyond local boundaries. In September 2025, when devastating floods struck parts of southwestern West Virginia, the McBees sent more than 60 hoodies and additional clothing to a local Catholic church assisting affected families.
The couple hopes the initiative will inspire similar efforts elsewhere. Judy noted that the simplicity of the programme makes it easy to replicate. “People are incredibly generous,” she said, adding that it is rare for them to attend Sunday Mass without returning home with bags of donated hoodies. They believe spreading the idea to other Knights of Columbus councils could help address the quiet suffering of older children in many communities.
One story, in particular, left a lasting impression on the McBees. A young boy who received a hoodie asked his teacher if he would have to return it. When he was told it was his to keep, his joy was overwhelming. “That moment broke my heart,” Judy recalled.
Reflecting on her own upbringing in an affluent town in New Jersey, Judy said witnessing the humility and gratitude of children in Morgan County has been deeply moving. “These kids are not entitled or spoiled. They are humble, appreciative, and truly extraordinary,” she said.
For the McBees, the heart of Hoodies from Heaven goes beyond providing warmth. Their hope is that each hoodie, along with its message of God’s love, will remind children that they are valued and not forgotten. “If we can make even a few children feel warm, cared for, and loved,” Judy said, “then we believe those small acts can plant seeds of faith and hope that will stay with them for life.”