admin @ Mon, 2006-03-06 09:00
This spring break, many Eastern Michigan students trekked down to Louisiana. They were part of an Alternative Spring Break, volunteering to aid the many communities and individuals devastated by Hurricane Katrina.
The EMU students volunteered through an organization known as Emergency Communities. This organization was formed following Katrina's carnage. It "supplements traditional disaster relief models by involving people from within the stricken community and outside it together as an 'emergency community.'" Volunteers and survivors work together to rebuild the community and cope with the losses sustained during the tragedy. It is open to anyone who wishes to volunteer, regardless of age, sex, race, ethnicity or religion. The organization is also not affiliated with any religions or political parties.
EMU joined the Alternative Spring Break program in 1992. The trips are sponsored by VISION, a Campus Life organization that promotes community service. The breaks are planned by Break Away, a nonprofit organization also dedicated to promoting community service. Break Away has 100 chapter schools, over 400 nonprofit partners and many individual members from all over the globe. Their goal is to create a world where people are active in their community and aid others. They want their members to always consider their community first when making important decisions. They also want members to be informed about social issues so they can make an impact for the greater good.
People all over the world are helping out; why not join them? We believe that it is necessary to give aid to those that need it and to be upstanding citizens within the community. Check out volunteer organizations on campus. Join VISION. Think about an Alternative Spring Break for next year. Or, get out there on your own. Volunteer some of your time helping the less fortunate. Not only does it help them, but it helps you too.
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