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April 29, 2010
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Day of volunteerism at Metro State creates good works, memories
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Painting hallways was the task for social work majors Amber Delgado, Lauren Snyder and Tammy Lara. |
The leadership of the Student Association of Social Workers at Metropolitan State College of Denver will remember the Comcast Cares Day, April 24, 2010, for a lot of reasons, including the fact that it would be one of their last gatherings before graduating in less than three weeks.
Association President Lauren Snyder, Vice President Amber Delgado and Treasurer Tammy Lara enjoyed the camaraderie as they painted walls in the North Classroom Building. Today “was a nice closing,” says Lara, of the event that featured 1,000 volunteers from Metro State (500-plus) and Comcast working on various projects across campus on a chilly Saturday morning.
The volunteers spent an estimated 3,700 hours working on more than 45 campus beautification and improvement projects, including planting trees, constructing sidewalks and painting classroom buildings.
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President Stephen Jordan gives a helping hand at the food drive. |
A food drive for the Metro State Food Bank was also part of the day’s activities. CBS News4 anchor Kathy Walsh did an advance story on the drive, which prompted viewers to request that the station donate $1,000 to the College’s food bank through its Pay It Forward Colorado Program, which they honored.
It was among the inspirational outcomes of the day, which has become an annual tradition for some. Metro State electrical engineering technology student Justin Allen, who works as a cable installer with Comcast, volunteered for his second Comcast Cares Day along with his fiancée Katie Martinez. The couple, who volunteered last year at the Denver Rescue Mission, worked this year reorganizing books in the Auraria Library. They say they look forward to working together on this day every year. "I think they (Comcast) are doing a great thing. It feels good to volunteer,” says Allen.
Office of Sponsored Research and Programs Executive Director Gwendolyn Mami was able to share the day with an associate she has worked with on her many humanitarian mission trips to Haiti. Dr. Michel Brutus, who heads H.E.L.P. Inc. in Haiti and was there during the January 2010 earthquake, also participated in the day’s activities. He was invited to Denver by a local church, and made sure that his first visit to Colorado coincided with Comcast Cares Day.
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>Business leaders at Comcast Cares Day: Scott Binder, Comcast; Christine Benero, Mile High United Way; IA VP Carrie Besnette, Metro State; Cindy Parsons, Comcast; Jamie Van Leeuwen, Denver’s Road Home. |
Brutus was impressed to see so “many worlds coming together,” acknowledging the different ages, cultures and backgrounds of the Comcast Cares Day volunteers. He says he will use what he has learned in the rebuilding efforts in Haiti.
“I’m proud of the work we did, and of the school spirit that was demonstrated by all. Ruth and I would like to thank everyone who participated,” said President Jordan, who could be seen at various locations throughout the morning working alongside faculty, staff and students, in addition to Comcast employees.
View a slide show and YouTube video of the morning’s activities.
