From Rhode Island
On a day that celebrates consumer excess, there are people like Greg Gerritt who stand for something else.
What began 14 years ago as the pipe dream of a local activist has blossomed into an annual event that this year spread beyond Providence to five more locations: Bayside Family YMCA in Barrington, Blackstone Valley Visitors Center in Pawtucket, St. Paul’s Church in Newport, St. Francis Church in South Kingstown and St. Ann’s Arts & Cultural Center in Woonsocket.
The Winter Coat Exchange is part of a global movement called Buy Nothing Day, when thousands of activists show their disdain for consumer binging by doing the opposite.
Here in Providence, the exchange is about giving at its most elemental: Warm hearts giving warm coats to families left out in the cold.
“It reminds people of the inequality of wealth,” says Gerritt, a bearded, wiry-looking man committed to keeping it simple. “My question is, ‘How can we step back and have a healthy, helpful community?’ ”
At the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, the basement is standing-room-only, with families trying on down jackets and long quilted coats, heavy sweaters and wool dress coats.
More here-
http://www.projo.com/news/content/coat_donations_11-27-10_44L5HEI_v20.36002ff.html
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