While most students were in bed enjoying the last days of sleeping in, 23 Sacramento State students woke up early to paint the blacktop at a local elementary school.

The effort was part of the Alternative Break program, designed to provide students an alternative option during academic breaks and serve the Sacramento community at the same time. The students committed to volunteer one to five days between Jan. 19 and 23.

The group traveled to Jedediah Smith Elementary School in Sacramento to begin the year’s community service work. The 55-year-old elementary school was in need of maintenance, not possible under the current tight budget circumstances.

The volunteers were students from all walks of life, including members of fraternities and sororities, transfer students, athletes and first-time volunteers.

Kathryn Steblay, social work major and group leader, quoted her mother’s words to explain why she takes the time to volunteer.

“If you want to be estimable, do something estimable,” Steblay said.

The students joined local volunteers, organized through Hands on Sacramento, for the cleanup of the school. Hands on Sacramento is a non-profit group that organizes volunteers for various community service efforts.

AmeriCorps, News10 and community volunteers joined the Sac State volunteers.

“Today we pulled together a lot of volunteers for this high-impact, hands-on service project,” said Tara Price from AmeriCorps.

Students painted shapes, hopscotch squares and a 20-foot United States map on the blacktop of the playground. The project also included cleaning up the clothing closet for needy students and helping teachers install shelves and organize their classrooms.

Some of the Alternative Break participants have a history of giving back to the community. Junior pre-nursing major Erika Alfaro said she has a heart for community outreach. She participates in Circle K International, an on-campus community service group.

The group is sponsored by Kiwanis International and has been on campus for four years. Volunteering all year may not be for everyone; Alfaro has a casual approach to why she does it.

“It’s fun and it gives you self satisfaction that you did something meaningful; it makes you feel good,” she said.

Alfaro’s past community service experiences have included tree-planting and volunteering at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and soup kitchens.

The week of volunteering also included working with the Sacramento Tree Foundation NeighborWoods program where the students learned about urban forestry. Students traveled around local neighborhoods to sign up residents who wanted a shade tree planted in their front yard.

The Sac State students also volunteered at the Sacramento Food Bank where they organized food and clothing donations. The last day of the program wrapped up with volunteering at a transitional living housing program for former foster youth.

“The Community Engagement Center’s main objective is to build long term, sustainable partnerships between the university and community through a variety of engagement endeavors,” said Community Partnerships coordinator Brendan McVeigh.

The Alternative Break program began in the Spring 2007 semester. Currently, the program only runs during the winter and spring academic breaks.

“The program is funded by grants to cover its operational costs like food and T-shirts for the students who volunteer,” said Misty Cisneros, office manager for the Community Engagement Center.

The next Alternative Break is scheduled during spring break this semester. Information is available in the Student Health Center and the Community Engagement Center in Library 4028.

Crystal Kirk can be reached at [email protected]