Alternative Spring Break

In the spring of 2011 United Way of Northwest Michigan teamed with Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) and participated in our first Alternative Spring Break trip.  The group, comprised of 10 students from NMC and 2 staff members from United Way, set out on a journey to New Orleans, LA to help rebuild houses in conjunction with the St. Bernard Project.

The students were responsible for raising all of the money needed for the trip, which included, food, lodging, and transportation.  The budget for the trip was $4000.00, which they raised by holding a bake sale, a garage sale, online donations, donations from friends and family, and fundraising events at local restaurants such as La Senorita and Little Ceasars.

Upon arrival in New Orleans the group volunteered their time at two different homes.  The first was the home of Marcel Rivera and the second was the home of Tonya Scott.  The majority of the work they did was putting in insulation and hanging drywall.

The trip was a huge success and another one is in the works for spring break 2012. Since returning from New Orleans two students have signed up to be an Americorps Volunteer, others have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, United Way, and Third Level Crisis Intervention Center.

For more information on how you can help another group of students spend their spring break helping rebuild homes in New Orleans please contact Michelle Gallagher 231-947-3200 x 201.

You can donate online HERE