It’s been the top story on network news programs and featured in newspaper articles around the country: “Spring Breakers Rebuilding the Big Easy,” “College Students Lend Spring Break Energy to Hurricane Relief Efforts.” The news of college students from around the nation turning away from familiar notions of Spring Break (partying, sleeping in and hitting the beach) in favor of lending a hand in the Gulf Coast region devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita inspired me to look into ways that we (like these college students) could devote a family vacation to helping those in need.
A recent survey revealed that more than 10,000 students devoted their Spring Break to cleaning up beaches and mucking out houses destroyed by last year’s Gulf Coast hurricanes. They did so as part of an “alternative break” movement – through which college students perform community service projects during their vacation time. Thousands of students each year build houses for low-income families, care for AIDS patients and tutor inner-city children. Last year’s devastating hurricanes, and the great need of communities from New Orleans to Mobile for assistance in the rebuilding effort, has added a new urgency and enthusiasm to the movement.
So what about us? Families with healthy pre-teen or teenage children who can easily pick up a hammer or serve a hot meal can follow in the footsteps of these “Spring Breakers.” The Corporation for National and Community Service provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and country through three programs: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America.
AmeriCorps members serve with a variety of organizations including the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, YouthBuild, conservation corps, and many smaller faith-based and community organizations. As a volunteer you will help clear out damaged homes, clean up debris, restore parks, put tarps on roofs, and help build new homes.
Another group, Common Ground Relief, is devoted to helping affected residents through legal, medical, housing and educational means. Volunteers can be involved in home repair, food distribution and work support at medical clinics.
Other organizations like Lutheran Disaster Relief and Community Collaborations International welcome volunteers to help in their efforts to help Hurricane victims. The idea of us using family vacation time to aid in relief efforts provides a priceless opportunity for our children to learn hands-on lessons in citizenship, humility and charity. Think of the difference we could make if we all took a family trip to lend a helping hand.