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Hands On
Savannah and Oglethorpe University
Alternative
Spring Break
A new partnership forged between Hands
On
Savannah and
The Center
for Civic Engagement (CCE) at
Oglethorpe University will allow students a week-long service opportunity as
an alternative to a traditional spring break. The idea for the partnership
emerged when Tamara Nash, Director of the CCE approached Hands On Georgia for
guidance about where the Center could offer a service opportunity within the
state.
Prior to 2008, Oglethorpe University students, faculty, and
staff served annually in the Gulf Coast to assist communities impacted by
Hurricane Katrina. "While we are pleased about the contributions Oglethorpe
students have made particularly in New Orleans, we also know it is important to
identify places in our state which require attention, support and sweat-equity.
We are excited about this new opportunity and greatly appreciate the willingness
of Hands On Savannah to be our partner," said Ms. Nash.
The week of service is March 16-21 and students will
volunteer each day. Non-profits providing service opportunities include
America's Second Harvest Food Bank, the Tybee Island YMCA, and Ft. Pulaski
National Park. According to Shirley Session, Director of Hands On Savannah, "Our
non-profit community embraces students who are willing to spend their spring
break helping others; their volunteering spirit is valued and very much
appreciated. The organizations depend on the service of volunteers to enhance
their services, and in most cases they could not survive without the generous
time and talents provided by volunteers!"
The Volunteer Center of United Way changed its name to Hands
On Savannah in 2005 when it became an affiliate of Hands On Georgia. Hands On
Savannah has more than 100 non-profit partnerships serving a four county area:
Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty and in 2007 connected over 1300 volunteers
to 19 service projects. The Center for Civic Engagement at Oglethorpe University
was founded in 2006 by Oglethorpe University President Lawrence M. Schall to
advance the University's civic mission.
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