In 1991 Vanderbilt University in Nashville started a program the school called Break Away. It was initially a program meant to aid both short and long-term community service projects in different areas in need.
This project grew from that into the national program known today as Alternative Spring Break that most universities and colleges throughout the country contribute to.
While many students have already begun plans for hitting the beach this spring in places like Panama City or Cancun, Volunteer ETSU has started its own plans for Spring Break 2008.
In the past, students from this university have traveled to Detroit, Harlem and Atlanta providing whatever help the communities needed.They have helped rebuild homes, delivered food to families in need, and even worked with HIV/AIDS organizations. In the spring of 2006, ETSU students were among the first wave of college organizations to arrive in New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
All students are encouraged to participate in what past participants have said was a life-changing experience.
Joy Fulkerson, coordinator for service programs, and Jared Story, a graduate assistant, held a meeting Monday to talk about past experiences as well as the goals the program has for future endeavors.
“We hope to have multiple trips this year,” Story said.
Though originally thought only to be held during the period spanning the school’s spring break, trips can be taken any time during the year from many universities, ETSU included.
“The number of trips is directly related to the level of interest of the students,” said Fulkerson.
The more people who wish to take part in the program, the more activities it can schedule.
The purpose of these trips is to help those in need who are unable to attain assistance from other places and to give students a different perspective.
No matter what the project, students will be participating in a “strong direct service,” said Fulkerson.
They also become educated about the problems, people and regions they visit. In their efforts and travel with this volunteer program, trip leaders hope and encourage the students to come back to their family, school, friends and community to share their experiences and maybe generate interest in future projects.
“I wish we had a hundred people in this room,” Fulkerson said of the meeting. Though there were not quite that many in attendance, there were a good number of students who showed up for the meeting.
Some had been on past trips. Others were new to the program. All of them showed interest in taking part in the activities for the year ahead.
A definite site for this year’s spring break trip has not been selected, but the possibility of visiting the Mississippi Delta is strong.
If that is what the leaders decide on, students will take a seven-day trip to help work on the building of a civil rights museum.
The application deadline for the program is Oct. 26. By that time, a site should be selected.
For more information on Alternative Spring Break you can e-mail serve@etsu.edu or call 439-6633. There are also Facebook groups devoted to the program.
Any interest in participation or ideas for services is encouraged and welcome.

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