a COOL valentine

For this Valentine's Day, a request has gone out to Colorado residents to make or buy a card for veterans at the veteran's hospital or living in the Colorado State Veteran's Nursing Home. Colorado resident, Sean Tompkins states, "This is such a great idea. I am a veteran and fortunately I am healthy. But I can imagine the cheer a card would bring me if I was in the VA hospital or nursing home."

Rick Krandall, radio personality for KEZW, is helping to promote the idea locally, "This program is more than 30 years old. It was started by newspaper columnist Ann Landers in response to a request from the head of the Veteran's Administration to have people send Valentine's cards to veterans in recognition of National Hospitalized Veteran's Week." Krandall also informs that the program was continued by several individuals after Mrs. Landers passed away and the station has been promoting it for the past 10 years.

With the support of school classes, churches, organizations such as the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce, and individuals either making or buying cards they had about 10,000 cards donated last year. They are looking to exceed that number this year. Veterans who are in-patients receive their card on their meal tray and veterans receiving out-patient care are handed theirs. Veterans in the nursing home also receive a card.

Here's to all those who make a veteran's day by donating a Valentine's Day card-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of this program to send veterans in the hospital or nursing home a Valentine's Day card?

COOL pajamas

The Pajama Program is a none profit organization that provides new pajamas and books to needy children in the United states and around the world. Many of these children are waiting to be adopted and have never had a mother or father read them a bedtime story. To date they have given over 1,000,000 new pajamas and books to children in need.

Many of the children served through this program have grown up in orphanages, group homes or shelters. Also, many are shuffled between these facilities with never having a home to call their own.

Genevieve Piturro, Found and Executive Director, states, "So many children are without warm bedtime clothing and education so we developed a creative program to provide some of both. We intend to make a difference-giving back is what it's all about."

Here's to Genevieve and the volunteers at Pajama Program for making a child's bedtime more comforting-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

The Pajama Program depends of volunteers, sponsors, and donation. If you would like to know more: www.pajamaprogram.org

What do you think of the Pajama Program and how it affects children?

to a COOL new year

Well, here we are again, in the beginning of a new year which hopefully will bring new beginnings and new possibilities. The cool thing about new beginnings is that we get a chance to get things right this time around. The cool thing about new possibilities is that we might not be real sure what they are until they are upon us. The key is to take advantage of the new beginnings and possibilities before that new year attitude becomes an after thought.

Here's hoping your new beginnings bring about new results and that your new possibilities allow you to fulfill your potential.

Here's hoping your new beginnings heal old wounds and that your new possibilities allow you to meet people who will support you through your endeavours.

Here's hoping your new beginnings keep you motivated throughout the year and that your new possibilities bring you wealth far beyond the meaning of money.

Here's hoping your new beginnings keep you young at heart and that your new possibilities help you to embrace the uncertainties that life throws at you.

Here's hoping your new beginnings create fond memories and that your new possibilities guide you to the happiness you deserve.

Here's hoping your new beginnings and new possibilities bring cool things and cool people into your life throughout the entire year!

Here's to you...stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

a COOL community

The theft of televisions, gaming consoles, and games at Mourning Star, a nonprofit organization, got the attention of the community and soon found many neighbors waiting outside the center with TVs, XBoxes, PlayStations, and many games to take the place of the stolen items.

Mourning Star helps children grieving from the loss of a loved one. The counselors use the games and gaming systems as a way to connect with the children who are in need of assistance in going through the grieving process. Sheryl Sullivan, Mourning Star's program director, expresses her amazement in the community, "It is heartwarming to know that for every bad thief we have, we have 10 great people waiting to restore the damage they do if they have the information."

A local Inn even sent over a maintenance man to hook up the systems. Sheryl expresses that the gesture touched them deeply because she couldn't have hooked them up herself. The center even got help from Colleen Quinn, a local radio personality, who spread the word of the theft on her morning show.

Other community members stopped by to give cash to help replace any other items that might need replaced. Employees express that some of the money will be used to fix the window the thieves broke in through. With so many items being donated the center is receiving duplicate supplies. They express that they will be donated to other Mourning Star centers and a new facility planning to open early next year.

Here's to the community members of Hesperia, CA for helping out an important organization in its time of need-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of the work an organization like the Mourning Star does? Do you know of a child who is grieving the loss of a loved one?

COOL inmates

A half a dozen minimum security inmates at the Missouri River Correctional Center in Bismarck, ND are getting into the Christmas spirit by fixing up toys and bikes that have been donated since early November. These men are a part of the "Christmas Playpen" project which also includes the local paper, the Salvation Army, Go Mini's storage, Dan's Supermarket, and Trans Trash.

To date, the men have completed about 50 bikes and around 12 boxes of toys. The men express that they enjoy the process of fixing toys and bikes for children who more than likely wouldn't be receiving Christmas gifts.

James Thompson states, "Anything that requires using my hands, I like. I figured, if we're going to give back to society, we might as well start here."

Brandon Baumeister expresses that he not only likes the work because he went to school for auto and diesel mechanics but, "It helps out the kids too."

Brandon Anderson adds, "No. 1, I love helping out. The children getting bikes, that's the biggest sticking point for me."

Joe Jennings loves helping as well, "Doing this feels good and it feels good to give back and make sure kids have a good Christmas."

Here's to you inmates for making cool use of your time-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of this program? Would you donate toys for this cause?

a COOL thanks

As Thanksgiving and the holiday season comes upon us it's a good time to think about someone who has done something cool for us and not asked for anything in return. Whether it was being given something such as a coin for the parking meter, a meal when hungry, or shelter when cold, it's a great time to think where one might be if these cool people weren't there in the time of need.

This is the season of giving thanks and who better to thank than someone who went above and beyond without looking for something in return. The great thing about giving thanks is that it's easy to carry and doesn't have to cost a cent. Also, the affect it has on someone is great and most often will make their day.

Here's to all the people who have given their time, money, or self to someone or some cause without expecting anything back-THANKS-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

Who would you like to take the time to thank during this upcoming holiday season? Why?

a COOL operation

Pursuing an active and athletic lifestyle can sometimes be taken for granted. For those suffering from permanent physical disabilities pursuing such a lifestyle can be daunting and in some cases never achieved. Thanks to the Challenged Athlete's Foundation an active lifestyle for those permanently disabled is no longer an unachievable goal.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation's Operation Rebound is a top notch program that supports American military personnel, veterans and first responders who have suffered permanent physical disabilities. The foundation, established in 1997, realizes the athletic pursuits in all people with challenging disabilities and assists their athletic capabilities by providing opportunities that lead to success in sports and all phases of life.

The Operation offers access to funding for athletic expenses ranging from equipment, training, and competition. They also support funds for Military Medical Center Physical Training and sports clinics.

Here's to Operation Rebound for allowing those suffering from permanent physical disabilities the chance to pursue their athletic endeavors-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

For more information please go to: www.challengedathletes.org

What do you think of Operation Rebound's mission? How would you feel about pursuing your athletic endeavors if you were permanently disabled?