Community Matters with Scott Cordischi featuring RI Coat Exchange Buy Nothing Day with Lauren Testoni 11-15-25

Black Friday? Flip the script on November 28th and Buy Nothing! You can give the gift of warmth instead. Join us on the lawn at the Rhode Island State House in Providence on Black Friday (9am-1pm) to kick off the season of giving with RI Coat Exchange (ricoatexchange.org), for their annual Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange. Lauren Testoni joins us for the details on this community effort to provide free coats, hats, gloves and scarves to those in need, from toddlers to adults. Listen as she describes what's necessary to successfully complete this effort reaching thousands of people. It takes a community of family, friends and even businesses to combine resources in a short timeline. The website is where you can find out how you can contribute. If you miss this November effort, you can begin 2026 with their “Spare a Pair” annual sock and underwear drive. Lauren also reveals the loss of key community member Ruth Ann “Diamond” Madsen. After the Black Friday event, any remaining items will be donated in Diamond's honor to the Mathewson Strèet Church in Providence, where they will also be distributed.