Dec 8, 2010
During winter break at Shawnee State University, 11 students have volunteered for the annual Alternative Winter Break to work on a service project instead of going to the beach or hanging out with friends.
In order to raise money to help pay expenses, students are having a Rummage Sale from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6 and Tuesday, Dec. 7 at SSU's University Center lobby by the book store. House wares, movies, clothes and numerous other items will be on sale at very low prices. The public is invited.
"In order for trips like this to become a reality, these students have to do a great deal of fundraising," said Nikki Karabinis, coordinator for the Center for Community Service. "We would love to invite the campus and surrounding community to the Rummage Sale to help support our students' efforts."
SSU's Alternative Break trips immerse students in a week-long service experience for communities in need across the United States.
While each trip is different, all trips focus on a particular social issue such as homelessness, the environment or youth. Trips in the past have volunteered at soup kitchens, in National Parks, at YMCAs, and in areas that were devastated by Katrina.
This year's Alterative Winter Break will explore the history and culture of the south in Savannah, Ga., and will focus on hunger and homelessness. Service projects will include working with Savannah's Habitat for Humanity.
Both before departure and while on site, students will study hunger and homelessness. They will also learn about the history and culture of Savannah from a variety of individual readings which they will share with the rest of the students on the trip.
"The students will have an invaluable opportunity to discover more about themselves and how they can become productive citizens in their own communities," Karabinis.
The students who have chosen to be a part of this year's Alternative Winter Break along with the coordinator for the Center for Community Service will be on Tybee Island on the coast of Savannah for one week, leaving on Saturday, Dec. 11.