Metro COOL, the college’s service organization, has started the academic year with a new focus designed to more closely meet the needs of Metro students and increase participation. While COOL – Campus Outreach and Opportunities for Learning – will continue to provide matching services for community agencies and students interested in volunteering, new this year are monthly volunteer days in which students can help out without having to commit for a longer period.

“Metro is unique in that many students work full-time and have families,” said COOL Coordinator Tiffany Hammer. They just can’t commit on a regular basis. With the monthly events people can jump in without having to make a larger time commitment.” The September event, Hands for Hope Day, drew 20 Metro volunteers. The group joined others in the community to help in the Five Points neighborhood with projects ranging from painting an elderly citizen’s front porch, doing landscaping work at Columbine Elementary School and building a wheel chair ramp off a Light Rail stop.

For October, Metro COOL is seeking volunteers to pass out candy and help with games and activities for the Children’s Museum of Denver annual “Trick or Treat Street.” Watch for details.

In addition to the monthly events, COOL is promoting service and volunteering by speaking to classes about the opportunities available through the 100 agencies that COOL works with. “Not only is volunteering the right thing to do, it’s great for networking and resume building,” Hammer said. To contact Hammer about speaking to a class, call her at 303-556-2595. For information about available service opportunities and monthly volunteer events, go to http://studentactivities.mscd.edu/cool/