Alternative Breaks Announces Spring 2014 Projects

Since 1998, University of Maine has been organizing trips for students to provide volunteer service to others. This year, Alternative Breaks, a student-run organization, will send out eight volunteer groups. The 101 undergraduate members and nine graduate students, and faculty trip advisers will volunteer one week of their spring break to work and travel.

Volunteer activities will take place at a children’s hospital in Denver, Colo.; a national park located in Miami, Fla.; animal sanctuaries and farms located in Woodstock, N.Y., Pittsboro, N.C., Falls Church, Va. and Savannah, Tenn.; and camps and after-school programs for children in West Milford, N.J. and Washington, D.C.

During winter 2013, Alternative Breaks organized a trip working with a nonprofit in Washington, D.C., to prepare and deliver food to people with terminal illnesses.

The organization’s undergraduate site leaders selects Alternative Break locations. Two site leaders will travel to each volunteer site.

Each volunteer pays $200 in dues to Alternative Breaks. Fundraising also helps cover travel expenses.

Volunteer locations this March:

  • Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary (Woodstock, N.Y.)

  • Carolina Tiger Rescue (Pittsboro, N.C.)

  • Camp Vacamas (West Milford, N.J.)

  • Liberty Hall Livestock Rescue (Falls Church, Va.)

  • Horse Creek Wildlife Sanctuary and Animal Refuge (Savannah, Tenn.)

  • Children’s Hospital Colorado/Denver Children’s Home (Denver, Colo.)

  • Biscayne National Park/Monkey Jungle (Homestead/Miami, Fla.)

  • The Alternative House (Washington, D.C.)

 More information is available online.