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Community Corner

A Call To Service: Alternative Spring Break

It’s that time of year again that conjures up visions of college co-eds partying poolside.  Spring Break is the ultimate right of passage for college students. Many college students are now going another route for their spring break and it’s growing in popularity. Alternative spring break is for students who want to spend their time off giving back and doing service work. More and more college students are looking to be part of the community by helping others and experiencing first-hand what it is like to be on the front lines of charity work.

I recently interviewed Erin McConville, a senior at Framingham State University, about her alternative spring break experience. Erin’s father was in an accident when she was nine and she remembers how the people of her community came forward to help her family. Her church set up nightly meals for the family and her neighbors put together a fundraiser that helped raised funds for medical expenses and an adapted home. She recalls how she thought about how she too could give back since everyone had been so eager and generous in helping her family through their difficult time. When alternative spring break was publicized at her college, she knew she had to find out more about it.

Erin and her friends were all encouraged to attend an information session at their school. Once hearing about that year’s mission, disaster relief in the aftermath of the tornadoes in Joplin, MO, Erin was inspired to apply. These spring break experiences are becoming so popular that you have to apply for a spot on the trip. Erin was accepted and became one of 26 students to commit to a week of service. At first Erin was a bit intimidated when she realized that none of her friends were going to be doing the trip. After attending a few meetings prior to the trip and getting to know the other students, she remained committed. The university has the group gather weekly for fundraisers, team-building, and information sessions about their mission. Quickly, the diverse group of students became a united community of service. Each student must raise money to fund their trip, facilitating their food and accomodations while they are at the location. Students learn to be fundraisers for their cause and they become educated about their mission, preparing them for their arrival.

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The week for these students becomes, as Erin says, “Iife-changing. You get to see firsthand how the donations to the disaster relief funds are used and you are further inspired by the reactions of those you are helping. You can see exactly how your contribution makes a difference.” Students get their hands dirty on trips like these, eat very basically, and stay in simple housing. It’s not a fancy trip, but it helps students appreciate the things they have and inspires them to continue service work once they return to school.

Erin did her trip during her sophomore year of school and it has given her a special bond with the others who participated in the trip. Upon returning from building houses in Missouri, the students then had to create a post-trip presentation to talk about their experiences. The students also collectively gave a presentation of that year’s trip to the rest of the student body, inspiring others to get involved and apply for the next trip. Those who participate have been further inspired to start a community service group at Framingham State that keeps students engaged and active in their school and surrounding communities.

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The take-away from the alternative spring break is a once-in-a-lifetime experience of committing to a cause and contributing physically and financially. Students become more interested and engaged in community service after these trips. Through her experience, Erin has found herself more in tune to the plight of others going through the recovery from a natural disaster and is drawn to donate to causes like the American Red Cross that serve those affected by these events. Erin will be graduating in May and moving into the teaching profession; a perfect place to share what she learned, to encourage charity in young people, and to keep paying forward from her experience. An alternative to cannonballs in the pool and beer drinking contests, the call to service is now a popular choice to spend those spring days off.
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