COOL listeners

5-year-old Stanton and his friend Faith sat patiently while a 4-year-old girl curled up next to them and read from her favorite book. They sat for a long time while 20 other children read to them. The only sign that one could tell they were really enjoying themselves was the way their tails wagged as each child read their favorite story.

Stanton and Faith are a part of the national Read to a Dog Program. The program introduces children to dogs while they sit and read to them. Parents who either knew about the program or ones who stumbled upon it were pleased with the concept. Jennifer York, mother to 3-year-old Betsy, woke to find her daughter practicing reading prior to going to the library for the event, "It's never too early to get children started on reading books and I love that it encourages kids to read by letting them interact with animals. I wish there had been a program like this when I was growing up."

4-year-old Violet Lewis was apprehensive about reading to such large dogs but was glad she did, "I could tell he liked the book because he was wagging his tail. He was a good listener and a nice dog." Violet's mother, Amy, appreciated the chance for her to be up close with such a large dog, "It was good for her to be in a controlled environment with a large dog who was so well-behaved."

Mary Letourneau, Stanton's owner, was overjoyed to see how much the children appeared to connect with him. They have been a part of the program for over three years, "It's so rewarding to see children gaining confidence by reading to these dogs. And Stanton enjoys being entertained by these kids so much. His tail never stops wagging."

Here's to the dogs, as well as their owners, who sit so patiently while children read to them and gain confidence-keep your tails wagging-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

What do you think of the "Read to a Dog Program" and how the children respond to it?

a COOL raft guide

Dave Kadlock of Salt Lake City, UT is a skilled raft guide for the nonprofit organization SPLORE, which helps people of all abilities experience adventures of the great outdoors.

As a skilled guide, Dave has made himself known to those in his field but has distinguished himself from all other guides with his attitude in working with clients who are battling various physical and cognitive disabilities.

Lindsay Malone, marketing coordinator for SPLORE expresses how valuable Dave is to the organization, "Dave is always right there putting a smile on everyone's face. Being a gifted storyteller, Dave is often found telling legends around a campfire or causing uproarious laughter while floating down the river. Dave's passion for people makes him an invaluable partner for our organization."

Here's to Dave Kadlock for allowing those with physical and cognitive disabilities to experience the great outdoors with dignity and laughter-stay positive, stay generous, and STAY COOL!

For more information about SPLORE please visit: www.splore.org

What do you think of Dave and the work he does on the river?

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?