Spring break is a time to take a step back from the stress of school and relax.
For one group of Baker females, they took to the sky and made their way to Baldwin County, Ala., in hopes of making a difference.
Even after sponsoring his 18th consecutive alternative spring break, University Minister Ira DeSpain’s commitment to giving back helps to retain his drive.
“One of my real interests is to have students reach out beyond their self,” DeSpain said. “I think community service is a great way to help give back. This trip gives students a chance to engage in a different spring break then what they usually would.”
With a small group of only seven participants, reaching Alabama by way of airplane is more affordable when compared to the cost of driving.
Besides being able to travel by plane, a first for the alternative spring break was the group being comprised of all females.
“This was the first time we had an all-female group,” DeSpain said. “We got women from area churches to volunteer to stay with the girls.
Though they were the smallest group we have had, they were very good and active.”
Junior Sara Schwarz never felt as if she has had the chance to fully have the spring break experience.
“It is a great chance to have fun and still help,” Schwarz said. “It was awesome and I loved it, and at the end I did not want to come back.”
After spending an interterm working with Habitat for Humanity, this alternative spring break was an ideal choice for Schwarz.
“We spent a day-and-a-half painting a maintenance building at the Gulf Shore State Park,” Schwarz said. “Then, there was a trailer which was removed, and we cleaned the lot for Habitat for Humanity.”
This year, the group painted a Habitat for Humanity ReStore building. The store will be used to re-sell various building material, furniture and appliances. The second service project was clearing out a piece of property for Habitat for Humanity.
Still making some time for fun at the beach, freshman Shelby Gitchel saw the trip as not only a learning experience, but enjoyable.
“I liked helping and giving back to the community,” Gitchel said. “It was a really good learning experience.”
