While many students spent their spring break south of the border or catching up on studying, a few students turned in their bikinis and board shorts for work boots and gloves to volunteer in the Sacramento community.

Nearly 20 students partnered with the Sacramento State Community Engagement Center and the Health Center for Alternative Break, a week dedicated to assisting local organizations such as the Sacramento Zoo, the Sacramento Tree Foundation, Center for Land Based Learning and Habitat for Humanity.

Brendan McVeigh, partnership coordinator for the Community Engagement Center, said Alternative Break was created by the center to offer alcohol- and drug-free alternatives for students during semester breaks.

“I started with Alternative Break because I was bored on break and didn’t know what there was to do in Sacramento. Now four semesters later, I do it because I like to see the faces of the people we are helping,” said Greg Hicks, senior health care administration and business major. “They really care about what we do. We really are making a difference.”

Throughout the week, students completed community service projects, including beautification and maintenance of grounds at the zoo, and drought-resistant landscaping for a home being built by Habitat for Humanity.

Dan Wilson, director of construction at the home being constructed by Habitat for Humanity, said his work could not be completed without the help of volunteers.

“We really appreciate their help,” Wilson said. “This home is for a single mother of six kids. She’s an amazing woman and she really appreciates the help, too.”

Dan Fraggean, junior engineering major and team leader for the Habitat for Humanity service days, said he participated in Alternative Break because, as an unemployed student, the dream of a trip to Cabo wasn’t financially possible. Rather than sitting at home, he preferred to put himself to work for the benefit of the community.

“This week we were at Cal Expo planting elm trees at the front gate with the tree foundation. It’s crazy to me to think how long those trees will be there,” Fraggean said. “I’ll be able to go back 20 or 30 years from now and see them and be able to say, “Wow. My hands did that.'”

Hicks said through his work in Alternative Break, he was encouraged to join community service oriented clubs and fraternities, such as Circle K and Alpha Phi Alpha.

“When you help out the community it’s really helping you build confidence and break you out of your shell,” he said.

Senior government major Sheryl Hitomi said she participated in order to meet new people and to give back to the community that gave back to her.

“I was born and raised in the Sacramento area. I have many fond memories coming to the zoo as a kid. I thought it’d be a great opportunity for community service,” Hitomi said. “People are amazed that students are actually working on their spring break and not out partying.”

Victor Chan, senior liberal studies major, said he plans to apply the community service goals he obtained through Alternative Break to his future career as a teacher.

“Teaching is more than giving lessons of math and English,” Chan said. “It’s about teaching students lessons of community involvement and how to be an active citizen.”

Hicks said the community involvement is what brings him back to Alternative Break each semester.

“I make it a goal to learn something new every time I volunteer,” Hicks said. “Most importantly, I always hold to my motto: one world, one life, one community.”

Brittany Bottini can be reached at [email protected].