Fitchburg State University will send 24 representatives – 22 students and two staff members – to Dade City, Fla. to spend their spring break volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.
The Alternative Spring Break program, an enduring tradition at Fitchburg State, has been collecting donations and running fundraisers to underwrite the cost of the trip for months. The local delegation leaves for Florida on Saturday and will return Saturday, March 16. During their trip to Florida, the Fitchburg State crew will be working with East & Central Pasco County, Inc., restoring homes in a location with poor housing and challenging infrastructure.
“Each year the location and experience is very different, however, the compassion and hard work from Fitchburg students is always the same and truly inspiring to watch.”–Sarah Minton, Fitchburg State student
Fitchburg State student Sarah Minton, a native of Quincy, has been part of the Alternative Spring Break program since her first year in college.
“I was lucky enough to grow up with a roof over my head, food at every meal and a loving support system and it seemed only right to give it back to others who did not have that luxury,” Minton said. “By joining ASB I was able to give back to a family in need, and even though it was for only a week I knew that the impact would last forever. This year, the 24 members have participated in over 15 fundraisers throughout the year and also individually raised $400 just for the expenses of the trip alone. Each year the location and experience is very different, however, the compassion and hard work from Fitchburg students is always the same and truly inspiring to watch.”
“The Alternative Spring Break is a meaningful example of the community spirit of Fitchburg State’s faculty, students and staff,” said President Robert V. Antonucci. “Their efforts make the world a better place and serve as an inspiration to all of us to share our time, energy and resources.”
For the past 24 years, more than 208,000 students have spent their school breaks volunteering across the country through Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program, donating more than $20 million to Habitat affiliates.
“We’re grateful for the students who use their spring break to volunteer with a Habitat affiliate for Collegiate Challenge,” said Jenn Skudlarek, Habitat for Humanity International’s manager of U.S. volunteer programs. “Their work makes a meaningful difference and will have a lasting impact in communities across the country.”
The Collegiate Challenge program is one of the many programs Habitat has to engage youth ages 5 to 25 in Habitat’s work. In addition to the ongoing support State Farm® offices provide to local Habitat affiliates across the United States, State Farm has served as the national corporate sponsor of Habitat for Humanity’s youth programs since 2007.
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 600,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.
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