TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Three groups of University of Alabama students will spend their spring break participating in community service projects.

UA’s Office of Community Service and Volunteerism coordinates “Alternative Spring Break” each year to give students an interesting alternative to regular spring break activities.

This year, one group of UA students will travel to New York City’s “Ground Zero” site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The New York group will serve food to workers doing cleanup at the disaster site. They also will paint a mural at the disaster site.

The Kingston, Jamaica, group will focus on beach cleanup and work in Jamaican primary schools and the Mona Rehabilitation center.

Another group of students will travel to Long Beach, Calif., to build a house for Habitat for Humanity.

Even though the students’ goal is to participate in community service, they will also have opportunities for some sightseeing.

For more information, contact Valerie Phillips at 205/348-5722.