Spring Break
In pursuit of selflessness
Students give up their winter break to volunteer around the community, plan for more
Paul Rios
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: News
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The 15 student volunteers tasked with the job, however, seemed to relish their assigned duties at Habitat for Humanity's ReStore facility. And some of those volunteers are already gearing up for more.
Students worked at a variety of locations last week, including the ReStore, as part of Alternative Break, a week-long community service program organized by the Community Engagement Center, Alcohol Education Program and Student Activities at Sacramento State.
Kati Kouklis, a child development major, said she and other members of the Chi Delta sorority were eager to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity because their sorority already donates money to the organization.
"Our sorority got something about (Alternative Break) in our mailbox," Kouklis said. "So when we heard about it, we went to the CEC office and got more information about it."
"Instead of just donating money, we wanted to get involved," said Jamie Barger, a sophomore liberal studies major.
The ReStore, a retail recycling facility, sells donated building materials to the public. Proceeds are used to fund future Habitat for Humanity construction projects.
Cliff Howe, a supervisor at the ReStore, said the facility relies on volunteers like the Alternative Break participants to help with projects, not only at the ReStore warehouse but also at construction sites. On Friday, students helped move several tons of glass in the form of discarded windows. Howe said some individual pieces weighed more than 400 pounds.
Despite all the heavy lifting, students found the experience worthwhile in more than one way.
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