Student volunteers spend spring break giving back
A group of 18 GCSU students spent their spring breaks in Savannah serving others without sacrificing time on the beach soaking up the sun. A new program through The GIVE Center called Service by the Sea provided an opportunity for an alternative spring break to be offered to GCSU students. Students could sign up and experience a fun, alcohol-free spring break while also helping people in the Savannah community.
The group ventured down to Savannah on March 21 to stay at the local YMCA, which housed the volunteers for the week for free. While in Savannah, the students spent time at different organizations around the city.
They started off at a food bank separating produce and a wildlife center relining trails and cleaning cages. They also spent time cleaning at Fort Pulaski National Monument. Another day they volunteered at the humane society as well as an adult daycare building a garden. They spent their last day in Savannah cleaning up the beach at Tybee Island.
Senior English major Belinda Dennis was the servant leader of the trip, meaning she was in charge of the planning, organizing and leading of the trip. She found the trip fulfilling and the projects hit close to home for her.
“I really enjoyed working at the humane society because I love animals,” Dennis said.
Although the group went with the purpose of serving a community, they didn’t have to sacrifice all fun. The students spent time on the beach, toured downtown Savannah and went on a historic ghost tour of the town.
Junior business major and Service by the Sea participant Emily Beatty went on the trip with the intention of doing community service and finding an alternative to the typical spring break scene. She understood that her time in Savannah would be spent having fun while also contributing to a new environment.
“I really enjoyed working at the food pantry. As a business major, it was interesting to see how a nonprofit really works.” Beatty said.
“Working at the adult daycare was also extremely rewarding because I already volunteer at the Green Acres Nursery.”
The trip cost $125 per person, but The GIVE Center sponsored each participant, giving them $25. The GIVE Center also sponsored other student-led volunteer trips over spring break. Twenty-five dollars was also given to each of the members of trips through Campus Catholics, Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry, Young Life and Baptist Collegiate Ministries.
“I was very impressed with the passion and leadership these students had,” said Kendall Stiles, director of The GIVE Center, who has high hopes for the new program. “Our goal is to double in size next year.”
The trip provided inspiration for the students to bring their experiences home with them.
“Through this trip, our girls and guys realized we could also meet needs in our own community,” Dennis said.
Posted by Mandy Boddy
on Apr 1 2010. Filed under News.
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