Spring break is a time to put down the pen, turn off the laptop and enjoy yourself. While some Sacramento State students prefer to have beach sand in their toes, others have volunteered to do a river clean-up and work on house projects.

The Community Engagement Center of Sac State, previously known as Office of Community Collaboration, is having its Alternative Break-Spring 2008 from March 31 through April 4.

Community Partnerships Coordinator for the Community Engagement Center Brendan McVeigh said students who are interested in Alternative Break-Spring 2008 are encouraged to attend the last information and sign-up meeting at 2 p.m. today in the University Union’s Auburn Suite.

Partnering up with American River Parkway Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and Sacramento Tree Foundation, Alternative Break-Spring 2008 will start with the celebration of Cesar Chavez Day, McVeigh said.

Tourism administration major John Lynch, who is a former volunteer of Alternative Break-Winter 2008, is excited to give back and learn about the community this spring break, as well.

Lynch was one of 51 students who participated in Alternative Break-Winter 2008 in January. Communication studies major Melissa Wallace was also a participant of the alternative break.

“I didn’t make it to Sac State on my own,” Wallace said in a video for a KVIE program called Focus, which highlighted students who participated in Alternative Break-Winter 2008.

“I had a lot of scholarships given to me through the communities in Elk Grove and Sacramento ? so for me, this is a way of giving back to the community that is supporting me and my college education.”

Giving back to the communities that continue to give support also comes with more knowledge of the community.

“Not only did I meet a lot of great people, but I learned about the community and the operation at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services,” Lynch said.

McVeigh expected students to learn exactly what Lynch had learned.

“Students learn team work, leadership skills and their local community a little bit better,” McVeigh said.

“Spring break for students is a time when you can take time out of the academic setting and do whatever you want,” he said. “Alternative Break is for students who want to get involved in the local community by doing service with their peers.”

Monday and Tuesday’s projects are not yet determined, but Lynch is excited to work at the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services on Wednesday.

Although the activities for March 31 have not been confirmed as of March 12, students will be doing service projects in honor of Cesar Chavez. For example, Alternative Break-Winter 2008 celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day by doing projects at Martin Luther King Jr. School.

Furthermore, activities for Alternative Break-Spring 2008 are not set in stone as of March 12 because of the different partners and their many activities the Community Engagement Center is working with.

The activities for April 3 and 4 will be determined by how far Habitat for Humanity has gone with its house projects, McVeigh said.

“Students may be doing projects ranging from digging foundations to putting the finishing touches to a house,” McVeigh said.

Participants will receive free lunches and shirts.

McVeigh credits Provost Joseph Sheley for providing alternative breaks to Sac State students.

“What I had originally said to (the Community Engagement Center) was to have some kind of community service where students feel they have accomplished something working as a team,” Sheley said.

“Students first learn how to do things together,” Sheley said. “Second, feel a real accomplishment for contributing to make the region a better place and third, we are noticed out there as Sac State and not as individual Sac State students.”

However, some are not fortunate enough to have a spring break or be a participant of Alternative Break-Spring 2008.

While journalism major Katie Lodato has never had a spring break and will not this year because of track practices, business major Colt Hawkins has to stay in Sacramento to work.

“Work, work, work,” Hawkins said. “I’d rather be snowboarding in Canada because it has Whistler and Black Comb (resorts).”

However, Lodato and Hawkins still have the opportunity to participate in Alternative Break-Spring 2008.

“The idea of signing up for Alternative Break is so students can participate in one to five days worth of activities,” McVeigh said. “So if you’re available on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, you can get involved that way if you have to work on Monday and Wednesday.”

Deur Julie Tcha can be reached at [email protected]