Coming up Friday, Nov 28, the day after Thanksgiving, is Buy Nothing Day, one of our favorite holidays. And here in Rhode Island, we have a wonderful way to celebrate the day -- donate your excess coats to the Winter Coat Exchange, now held in five locations around the state. The concept is simple --  if you have a coat to give, please drop it off. If you need a coat, please pick one up. Give a coat, warm a heart!

This year's sites: The State House Lawn, 10 to 2 pm, rain/snow site: St. Patrick’s School, 244 Smith St. The Visitors Center, 175 Main St., Pawtucket. St Paul's Church, 12 West Marlborough St., Newport. St. Francis Church, 114 High Street, Wakefield. St Ann’s Arts and Cultural Center, 84 Cumberland Street, Woonsocket. Most groups are already collecting coats, click on "More..." for contact info to find out drop-off places and times.

Reasons for participating in Buy Nothing Day are as varied as the people who take part. Some see it as an escape from the marketing mind games and frantic consumer binge that has come to characterize the holiday season, and our culture in general. Others use it to expose the environmental and ethical consequences of over-consumption. You can participate just because you are safe and warm, but others in our state are not.                   

Volunteers are welcome! Click on "More..." for contact information.

To volunteer or contribute to the RI Winter Coat Exchange, contact:

Providence  Greg Gerritt: 331-0529; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ;  Phil Edmonds: 273-4650; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pawtucket -  Arthur Plitt 724-8915; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Newport – St Paul's Church 12 West Marlborough St. Maggie Bulmer 849-3537.

Woonsocket   St Ann’s Arts and Cultural Center  84 Cumberland Street Roger Bonin   728-8328  

Wakefield --St. Francis Church, 114 High Street, 10 Am to Noon Tom Abbott 364-0778

And a poem about the event, via Arthur Plitt:

Well I need to wait now for almost two whole weeks
I'd have prayed a coat would sooner come
Keep the faith as I and others sure need it
As the November 28th day begins to dawn
I'll have my coat to keep me warm
If it weren't so much that we need them
Then I think that I'd do without
And what all the fuss is about
Keep your hopes as a coat will be
For at least when there's a storm
I have my coat to keep me warm
And that coat won't hurt you
It won't desert you
It won't let you down ever as one thinks of it
Even if it doesn't fit
And a coat won't hurt you
It won't desert you
It's always by your side if you need it
Even if it doesn't fit
Put your faith in someone and
Well if you're as lucky as me
You'll be made warm as could be
Could be worse as I sure know it
And even if the sleeves are too long
I sure have my own coat to keep me warm
Better of out of the cold than in it
Causes nothing but sorrow and pain
I'd recommend that of course you try it
Yes, the Warm A Heart Coat Giveaway is a hit
Then again you can get a coat on the 28th as me too-again.

Click here for more about the meaning of Buy Nothing Day, as expressed by Phil Edmonds last year.