While many college students view Spring Break as a time to party and bask in the sun, UVM’s Volunteers in Action have a very different take on the matter. This year, VIA will host its 10th annual Alternative Spring Break, a service-oriented program that reaches out to various regions of the country under one common goal: to help strengthen and enrich communities through volunteer work. This year, the Alternative Spring Break program will be hosting 10 different expeditions; these projects range from restoring houses with Habitat for Humanity to working with the poor to secure needed provisions and collective rights. Last year, junior Maggie Samuels worked in New York City with the God’s Love Program. “In the morning, we prepared 1,500 meals and then delivered them to the homeless. A co-worker rightly commented that our work spanned from park benches to Park Avenue.” No prior volunteer experience is needed to participate in A.S.B., as training sessions are offered throughout the month of February. Given the variety of programs that are being offered, there are many ways to contribute. In March, Site Leader Emily Bahnsen (’04) will be taking a group to the tri-county Headstart Program in Bridgetown, N.J. One of Bahnsen’s main reasons for joining Alternative Spring Break has been to “introduce volunteer work to people who haven’t experienced it before.” “I think it’s a great way for UVM students to help those less fortunate than themselves,” said senior Andrew Reynolds who has taken interest in VIA and A.S.B. “I would definitely consider participating in this type of volunteer work.” To those still leaning toward a sun-splashed Spring Break, Volunteers in Action has this to say: “A tan fades, but A.S.B. stays with you forever.” For more information, call 656-0789 or e-mail: [email protected].