WEEI Providence

The oldest Ski Race in the Country, 70th RI Ski Runners (RISKI) Ski and Snowboard Race, is coming up on February 2nd at Wachusett Mountain (Princeton Mass). RISKI President Karen Casavant (22-25) and Barbara Morse (NBC 10), Race MC, Journalist and RISKI member, join us for the details. The RI Ski Runners mission, "to provide an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to get together to enjoy outdoor activities including skiing, biking, and hiking, through trips and other activities in the White Mountains". Amenities include a lodge, owned and operated by the board and membership, which makes mountain excursions cost effective. They promote a website full of information and past competitions, complete with a colorful history dating back to 1938. They also celebrate their Legacy Racers who have competed and won more than one metal/trophy, complete with a photo gallery. This year, the members decided to do something fun to commemorate this landmark year and invite local artists to help design our new race tee shirt. Listen as they tout the winner, Kianna Moy Gederman (Rhode Island), who has won the opportunity to sign her artwork and have it printed on the race t-shirts for 2025 Race Artist Web page on the RISKI Runners website for a year. We also discuss our prowess on the slopes and favorite mountains.

We're celebrating Black Storytelling across Rhode Island, over two weekends and the week in between (1/17-1/26), the week of the Martin Luther King Holiday. There's so much to learn and experience and Valerie Tutson, Teller and Executive/Festival Director joins us for some details. In partnership with the RI Black Storytellers (RIBS) Funda Fest features over 25 performers from around the world. There will be music, storytelling and "Funda', a Zulu word "to learn". She describes the different venues and locations, where you can indulge in live storytelling (in person or on zoom) or pre-recorded stories. There's also an evening of exploration of the relationship between storytelling and hip hop. Listen as Valerie persuades Scott to be a judge for the "Liars Contest", who will tell the biggest lie for a prize!

They're connecting the generations through the power of storytelling and to their shared history.

Calling all LPN's, CNA's and Culinary Professionals, America's heroes need your help! The Rhode Island Veterans Home (Bristol, RI) is having a career fair (1/16 & 1/17; 10-1pm) and Director Kasim Yarn is inviting you to serve those who served you, at a five (5) star Ritz Carlton-esque facility. There's a great need for those who are in the healthcare and food service field to join in this total team effort in Bristol, home of the oldest 4th of July celebration. Listen as Kasim, a twenty (20) year Naval Veteran, detail the Veteran experience and blessings of serving his military brothers and sisters and their families. On a personal note, Kasim is a long time listener of WEEI (first time/long time) and he and his family are diehard Red Sox fans.

We begin 2025, visiting with the 76th Governor of Rhode Island, Dan McKee. We're looking ahead, with the focus on getting a little clarity on the tough issues that plagued 2024. Winter is here, when will the pallet shelters of Echo Village be ready for occupancy? We're a year into the closure of the eastbound side of the Washington Bridge, and are still in the bidding process. 2024 ended with an alarming data breach of RIBridges, leaving half of the RI population vulnerable to criminal cyber crime. However it's not all negativity there is some good news, The RISavers program is launching in spring 2025 the creation of a new program and a partnership with Connecticut that is designed to help Rhode Islanders retire more easily. Also, listen as the Governor "Coach of RI", heralds our local sports programs. From nationally ranked women's basketball at RI College, University of RI football reaching the national tournament, RI Football Club scheduling their first game at the long awaited soccer stadium, and Cranston Little League represented at the World Series, "Little Rhody" has a good deal to be proud of.

“Checks are great, relationships are better”. That’s according to George L. Ortiz Jr. CSO (Chief Servant Officer) of the ELISHA Project. A retired Marine Veteran and father of seven, he and his wife Carrie started this non profit to provide food and essentials to those in need. Facing adversity from a chaotic childhood to a derailed career in professional baseball to a four year downturn in fortune he reinvented his life to a life of purpose. Listen as he describes how Marine logistics was instrumental in repurposing food from local educational institutions and how Fox Point East Side Little League played a part. He also details two of their successful programs, EP Bodega where goods are exchanged for service and Share Market an anonymous walk up/drive through.

Take the Plunge Challenge! "A Wish Come True", raises funds to grant wishes to children with life threatening illness. They are the oldest wish granting organization in RI and MA, now in their 42nd year. AWCT Executive Director, Mary-Kate O'Leary joins us to detail their “21st Annual Polar Plunge” at Easton's Beach (First Beach) in Newport on January 1st, 2025. Yes, they want us to jump in the ocean! Listen as she describes two of their "Wish Warriors", featured in "Freezin' for a Reason", 4 year old Indy (Coventry RI) and 9 year old Lars (Jamestown RI). Mary-Kate also details the programs and future events which support not only "Wish Kids", but their entire family. AWCT is overjoyed to have raised $630K, from the “Wishes Take Flight Gala”, honoring both Beth Napollillo and Steve Napollillo (AD Providence College). Join Mary-Kate, who may or may not be in costume, and all the brave souls on the beach New Year’s Day 2025 for a very good cause.

Karen Kalunian of "Animal Talk" wants you to know that shelter companion animals are being euthanized for space! There are many reasons for the critical mass, part of the reason is a result of post COVID abandonement. She encourages you to reach out to her for direction to the most convenient way for you to help. Either at your local shelter or other, you can contribute by donating in various ways. Consider fostering a companian animal, that could even be a rooster. Listen as she describes the impetus for this passion project (she blames her daughter KIm) and how a shelter dog in a local production of Annie "Sandy" was the first. You can find "Animal Talk" on social media, look for the logo "Half Pitty, Half Kitty" and found on PBS as well.

Stages of Freedom, "founded in 2016 has at its core addressing racial inequities in Rhode Island and ensuring that Black Lives Matter" is in the spotlight. Co-Founders Ray Rickman, Executive Director and Robb Dimmick, Program Director zoom in with the latest on programs and events that support free swimming lessons for Black youth. Their non-profit African American Museum & Bookshop in Providence RI "creates a unique synergy of missions"; enriching peoples education of African American life, Rhode Island African American history and saving lives. There's always something interesting when you donate to SOF, i.e. a ticket give away for "Hamilton" at Providence Performing Arts Center (hurry the performance is 12/19). They also work in tandem with organizations such as, Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park highlighting the exhibit at Old Slater Mill "Laboring for Freedom African Americans in the Blackstone River Valley" (through 12/14). Listen as they detail the mystery behind the stolen plaque of Edward Mitchell Bannister, a nineteenth-century artist and one of the founders of the Providence Art Club. We also discuss the importance of Christiana Carteaux Bannister and why her historic marker has been revealed. The Bannister's, Providence's 19th-century Black power couple. Did you know that December is "National Tie Month"? "A time we seize to profile those distinguished men of color who made their mark by wearing one well". Notable names including, Baritone Paul Robeson, and Black Socialogist W.E. Dubois.

Lauren Testoni wants you to know, If you have a need or know someone in need of proper winter outerwear RI Coat Exchange is here to help! They have an alternative to the Black Friday tradition of spend, spend, spend. Why not spend the day helping those in need? Lauren joins us and provides the answer, the Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange. "For more than 25 years, we’ve provided coats and winter gear to Rhode Islanders in need. From a warm winter coat to a new pair of socks, our mission is to make sure everyone has the items required for basic dignity". Listen as Lauren details the preparation that goes into this large scale operation, held at the RI State House (9am-1pm) annually. She also describes the impetus of this volunteer organization starting with her mother's brainchild and continuing with her family, friends and volunteers.