Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 10/19/07 Section: Culture

Alternative Break members work on framing in Spokane. [Click to enlarge]

[Click to enlarge]

[Click to enlarge]

Are you looking for something positive to do that will have an impact on your life and the lives of others? How about going to Seattle, San Diego, New Orleans, Boise, Vietnam, or Africa? Then maybe the Alternative Break program is for you. This program is for students at Western who see the importance of giving and are willing to travel. This program is so much more than community service. It gives students an appreciation for what they have.
There are seven trips planned for this year, spanning five to twelve days. Only about eight students will be selected to travel with the predetermined leaders (up to two students and two faculty). Participants will assist at a food bank, hurricane cleanup in New Orleans, a local camp for first to fifth grade students, the Ronald McDonald House in Boise, working in an orphanage and simply helping out the communities.

Applications are available the Service Learning and Career Development (SLCD) Office on the lower level of the Werner Center. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 24.

According to Tammy McCammon, SLCD's Community Partner Liaison , "participants are selected based on their leadership ability, personal strengths, flexibility, teamwork and willingness."

Once an applicant is selected for a trip there is a $50 commitment fee for trips inside the US and $150 for international trips. The fees are applied to the cost of the trip and are non-refundable.

Cost should not be a reason to exclude yourself. Fundraising is an integral part of each of the trips. Team members raise the funds needed to accomplish their Alternative Break Service. The program even contributes to the communities of Independence and Monmouth. Each team is requested to perform local community service to ready themselves for their domestic or international service. There are even options to help out for just a day.

National Make a Difference Day is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 27. McCammon encourages interested students to sign-up in SLCD for the Oct. 27 volunteer date at the Monmouth Senior Center (MSC); the first 50 Western students to show up for work will receive a shirt that proudly displays: Make a Difference Day on the front and WOU Volunteer on the back.

Make a Difference Day is a community wide event, not just for Western. The Boy Scouts of America from Monmouth, Central High School Band students and the First Baptist Church are just a few of the partners in this project.

On Oct. 27, volunteers are asked to meet at the Monmouth Senior Center, 180 S Monmouth Ave, about three blocks south of campus. Since it is Fall, the focus will be on yard work. There are many tasks that our community's seniors would really appreciate your help with and there are enough jobs for everyone, even if you can't stay for the entire day. The SLCD office encourages all volunteers to invite their friends; giving service is a great way to bond with friends and the community. •

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