2015 Formal Cooler Giveback!
Join Vanderbilt Greek Life, Vanderbilt Interfaith Council OACS (Office of Active Citizenship and Service) and our office in the second annual Cooler Give Back! We will be sanding and repainting donated formal coolers to distribute to homeless populations in Nashville.
Come by ready to do some painting, electric sanding, and eating (bbq burgers and hot dogs)!
A fun study break with FREE FOOD! (Vegetarian options will be available)
The Formal Cooler Giveback was conceived of in seeing an opportunity to utilize materials that were no longer being used. Many Fraternities on campus will go away on a weekend getaway with their Formal date for one last trip before the school year comes to a close. A tradition emerged of the date invited bringing along a cooler that she has decorated for use on the trip. These creative pieces show some amazing artwork and are a lot of fun to create. After their intended use, many of these coolers need second home. The idea to gather together, reclaim these coolers, clean, sand, repaint them, is then coupled with a giving opportunity to fill these coolers with goods that can be given, in their handy new carrying case, to those in Nashville who suffer from homelessness.
This year, we have partnered with Sparks Ministry, Green Street Ministries and Bridge Ministries to give these filled coolers to campsites where some live due to economic hardship. These coolers can then be of use for food, perishables and protection. In addition, we have partnered with the Boy Scouts of America for additional opportunities for second life for some coolers. Plus, any coolers that can not be used by one of these avenues will be recycled by our friends at SustainVU.
Bringing together Greek and non-Greek students alike, the Formal Cooler Giveback is an opportunity to take a break from studying for finals and engage in a unique service project to give back to the community.