TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – While many students traditionally head to the beach during spring break, a group students, faculty and staff from The University of Alabama have chosen to volunteer their time during this class break to help people in need by building houses in Georgia and repairing hurricane damage in Mississippi.

As part of Alternative Spring Break through the UA Community Service Center, student volunteers will help clear rubble and rebuild Christ Church in Bay St. Louis, Miss., leaving Tuscaloosa on Saturday, March 18 and returning Wednesday, March 22.

Another group, led by CSC director Valerie Phillips and Dr. Steve Kavanaugh, UA professor of mechanical engineering, will leave for Springfield, Ga., on Saturday, March 18 and return the following Saturday, March 25 to help build homes with Habitat for Humanity there.

The trips to Mississippi and Georgia will allow students to perform community service for those in need, to meet and interact with a diverse group of people, and to grow in their understanding of the world around them. Students of all levels, as well as a variety of faculty and staff members will be going on the trips.

For more information, contact the CSC in 355 Ferguson Center at 205/348-2865 or vphillips@sa.ua.edu.