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| ASB offers students
new, exciting volunteer experiences |
Jessica Sellers
Clubs | Organizations Beat
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Groups
of Appalachian State University students, including freshman biology
major Juliana S. Wu decided to do something a little different than
going on the normal beach trip or cruise for their spring break
by helping others in need.
During spring break this year, groups of students went on trips
to Radford, Va., Jonesville, Va., Memphis, Tenn., Charleston, S.C.
and Washington, D.C.
A group of seven students and two group leaders went to Charleston
to offer a helping hand at various charitable organizations.
Wu said she decided to go on the trip after finding out what an
alternative spring break actually was.
“My plan was to make the most of my freshman experience here
at ASU, and I was thrilled that there was such a trip that took
us outside of our university, one that wasn’t graded, and one
that would leave a lasting impression on me,” Wu said.
Wu said she chose to go to Charleston because she had never been
to South Carolina. She fell in love with the idea of spending a
week volunteering there.
Not only was it a rewarding experience for all those involved, but
it offered a chance for the students to get to know the other people
in their group and become close friends with them.
“It was amazing. Our six-hour car ride down to Charleston made
it impossible for us not to be friends. Each night, we had reflections.
Each individual from the group spoke about their likes and dislikes
about the trip, their concerns and what needed improvement for a
more successful trip,” Wu said.
Wu said the group spent time at five different locations, including
a soup kitchen, a senior citizen community, a Goodwill warehouse,
the Boys and Girls Club and the Parks and Recreation Center.
At the soup kitchen, Crisis Ministries, group members cleaned, chopped
vegetables and prepared and served meals.
Group leaders played guitar while the other students sang along
and danced to entertain the women and men at the senior citizen
community.
While at the Goodwill warehouse, students cleaned and organized
seasonal items and unloaded bundles of clothing to be sorted out
for transport to Goodwill stores in and around South Carolina.
On Wednesday afternoon, after helping at the Goodwill warehouse,
the group went to the local Boys and Girls Club.
“That afternoon, we were at the Boys and Girls Club where we
took our new friends to the park, watched, cheered and played basketball,
foosball and ping pong with them. It was the best of times,”
Wu said.
“We spent Thursday cleaning out and painting a shed and digging
ditches. Friday [we spent] volunteering alongside the workers while
200 sixth-graders from an inner-city school played scavenger hunt
games and ‘name that tune.’ It was an amazing week at
Charleston. I know my fellow volunteers felt the same way,”
Wu said.
After the Charleston trip, Wu said she would definitely participate
in other alternative spring break trips while attending Appalachian.
She said she is even thinking about signing up to be a trip leader
next year.
She said every student at Appalachian needs to experience a spring
break as memorable as the alternative spring break and encourages
those who haven’t experienced one to get involved next year.
“Alternative spring break, as a whole, is a spring break where
you meet new people and spend a week getting to know them, all while
working on volunteer projects. It’s a way to learn more about
goals, endurance and motivation of others, and most importantly,
oneself,” Wu said.
“The trip had a profound impact on each of our lives,”
she said. “For me, it was the fact that a group of nine strangers
were able to get along so well together. I believe it was because
we established our goal early on, to volunteer and serve our best,
and each of us had the passion to fulfill it. That lesson taught
me the importance about working diligently towards each of our own
goals.” |
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