2008 Woodie Awards
PSUC offers winter break alternatives
Terrell Lopez
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: News
Originally published: 12/6/07 at 6:05 PM EST
Last update: 12/6/07 at 6:03 PM EST
- Page 1 of 1
For students at Plattsburgh State, winter and spring breaks can be a time of peace and relaxation - of going home and getting away from tests, lectures and papers.
For some, these breaks are an opportunity to help others in need, and these students sacrifice their free time to make a difference.
Participating in alternative spring and winter breaks gives students the chance to travel to other places within the country and participate in community service through various means, such as working with preschoolers, giving horseback riding lessons and building houses.
"The program is definitely fun and a great way to meet new people, visit new places and learn new skills. But it is also something that the students can get a real thrill out of doing," Director of Campus Activities Cori Mathews said.
The program gathered many volunteers this year - 33 people for winter and 100 for spring.
This year, there are three trips to choose from for winter and seven for spring. On each trip a group of students is sent to an area in need of volunteers - places such as Florida, South Carolina, New York and Connecticut are on the list for winter break, and Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are scheduled for spring.
Each location has a strong history with the program, as each year students continue to return to these sites.
"We have been going back to the same sites for the last couple of years now, because the people we work for appreciate the volunteers and we enjoy working for them," Mathews said.
For many students the need to help can go a long way - senior Alyssa Amyotte participated in the program more than 10 times, beginning in her freshman year. Through her experiences she had nothing but smiles and good things to say.
"I feel good about working in the program, because the places we go, you can see right away that these people are in need of our help," she said. "Also you get to know the people in your group and travel to many places in the country, making it a very enjoyable experience."
Another past volunteer includes Vice President for Student Services Amanda Belden, who took part in the program and enjoyed the wonderful feeling that it generated.
"When I participated in the program, I had the opportunity to help build a home, and that made me feel good knowing that I was contributing to someone's future," she said.
Those who feel that the program will be a financial burden on them will be surprised to find out that the majority of the cost is covered by the Center of Student Involvement. The trips last 1-2 weeks, and volunteers have to contribute $75 for spring and $125 for winter. The rest of the money is raised to sponsor the trip.
"We do lots of fundraisers, because we need to raise about $40,000 a year, so we do it through raffle tickets, candy bars and others things," Matthews said.
For some, these breaks are an opportunity to help others in need, and these students sacrifice their free time to make a difference.
Participating in alternative spring and winter breaks gives students the chance to travel to other places within the country and participate in community service through various means, such as working with preschoolers, giving horseback riding lessons and building houses.
"The program is definitely fun and a great way to meet new people, visit new places and learn new skills. But it is also something that the students can get a real thrill out of doing," Director of Campus Activities Cori Mathews said.
The program gathered many volunteers this year - 33 people for winter and 100 for spring.
This year, there are three trips to choose from for winter and seven for spring. On each trip a group of students is sent to an area in need of volunteers - places such as Florida, South Carolina, New York and Connecticut are on the list for winter break, and Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are scheduled for spring.
Each location has a strong history with the program, as each year students continue to return to these sites.
"We have been going back to the same sites for the last couple of years now, because the people we work for appreciate the volunteers and we enjoy working for them," Mathews said.
For many students the need to help can go a long way - senior Alyssa Amyotte participated in the program more than 10 times, beginning in her freshman year. Through her experiences she had nothing but smiles and good things to say.
"I feel good about working in the program, because the places we go, you can see right away that these people are in need of our help," she said. "Also you get to know the people in your group and travel to many places in the country, making it a very enjoyable experience."
Another past volunteer includes Vice President for Student Services Amanda Belden, who took part in the program and enjoyed the wonderful feeling that it generated.
"When I participated in the program, I had the opportunity to help build a home, and that made me feel good knowing that I was contributing to someone's future," she said.
Those who feel that the program will be a financial burden on them will be surprised to find out that the majority of the cost is covered by the Center of Student Involvement. The trips last 1-2 weeks, and volunteers have to contribute $75 for spring and $125 for winter. The rest of the money is raised to sponsor the trip.
"We do lots of fundraisers, because we need to raise about $40,000 a year, so we do it through raffle tickets, candy bars and others things," Matthews said.
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