CLINTON —
Ashford students are lending a hand in Hurricane Sandy relief this spring break.
Students and staff will be spending their alternative break in Atlantic City, N.J., to help rebuild and revive the area.
“Our goal at Ashford is to educate the whole person, that’s why this is a critical part of preparing our students to go out and be well-rounded individuals,” Dean of College of Business and Professional Studies Charlie Minnick said. “This is a great opportunity and a great bunch of people.”
A group of 21 students and four staff members will work with Community Collaborations International to offer aid to those affected by the tragic event. While much of the clean up is done, the group will assist with the rebuilding of the community by helping out at food banks and homeless shelters. Sleeping on cots and using communal bathrooms, this is no luxury vacation, but for many of the students it is so much better.
“Last year during spring break I just sat around and watched TV,” Derek Deutmeyer said. “It’s better to be able to help out and really take something away from spring break.”
The trip is part of the Office of Service and Leadership, a new department at Ashford. The department, implemented in fall 2011, helps students connect with volunteer and career exploration opportunities throughout the Ashford campus and surrounding communities.
Last spring, students traveled to Joplin, Mo., to help clean up and rebuild the community following the tornado that ravaged the town. Twelve students and two staff members traveled to Chicago this past October to provide support to the poverty-stricken areas of the city. Trips like these offer the opportunity for students from all different backgrounds to travel together and experience the challenges individuals face in other areas of the country.
Students that went on the Chicago service trip got the opportunity to visit the YMCA Head Start Program, Cannan Missionary Food Pantry, Epworth Men’s Shelter and Cornerstone Community Soup Kitchen.
Many of the students have taken part in previous trips either through Ashford or other organizations, which have given them the passion to reach out even more.
“I went on the Chicago trip and had a profound experience,” Tyler Minnick said. “It really put life into a new perspective. People are different, yet we’re all the same.”
Some even had other plans, but decided service to the community was more important.
“I had some plans with friends, but once I heard about this trip I really wanted to help,” Morgan Martells said.
Students interested in participating in the trips must submit an essay explaining why they want to help. For this trip 50 students submitted essays and 21 were chosen. Interest in the service trips continues to grow both among students and staff.
“It’s a great way to bring everyone together and to really make a difference,” Manager of Service Learning Audra Adams said. “This is something the students are really passionate about and it really shows.”
Ashford students and staff members making a difference over their spring break by lending a hand in Hurricane Sandy Relief include Juan Cabrera; Katherine Leffelman; Derek Deutmeyer; Sarah Gans; Dr. Charlie Minnick, Dean, College of Business and Professional Studies; Alivia Hatten; Rachel Yoder; Connor Murphy; Chris Adams; Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach; Audra Adams, Manager of Service Learning; Tyler Minnick, Daniela Herrera; Morgan Martells; Bethany Fett-Dykes, Elizabeth Nardi; Emily Paull; Emily Ramsey; Erika Fisk; Jemila Burton; Jessica Henrichs; Lindsay Aiello; Lisa Green; Sierra Crady; Taaron Courter and Waunita Sullivan, Associate Director of Campus Student Affairs.
Top News
Related Photos
-
Ashford students and staff members making a difference over their spring break by lending a hand in Hurricane Sandy Relief include (back row from left) Juan Cabrera; Katherine Leffelman; Derek Deutmeyer; Sarah Gans; Dr. Charlie Minnick, Dean, College of Business and Professional Studies; Alivia Hatten; Rachel Yoder; Connor Murphy; Chris Adams; Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach; and Audra Adams, Manager of Service Learning; and (front row from left) Tyler Minnick, Daniela Herrera and Morgan Martells. Natalie Conrad/Clinton Herald
Discussion
January 30, 2013
Ashford students to provide relief in wake of Hurricane Sandy
- Top News
-
-
High hopes as season starts
In Kevin Cunningham’s first season as Clinton High baseball coach, the River Kings surprised opponents and put together a 20-14 season.
-
What you need to know about preparing for tornadoes
Tornado survivors and seasoned observers suggest people do two simple things to prepare for tornadoes: Know where to take shelter, and move quickly when the time comes.
-
VIDEO: Tumblr sold to Yahoo! for $1.1 billion
Yahoo! has purchased Tumblr for $1.1 billion, hoping to compete more effectively with sites like Google and Facebook.
-
Indians earn 2nd in hurdles
Thomas Brantley, Devin Norman, Shykeem Williams and Mike Osaro were all smiles after seeing that their time in the finals of the Class 2A shuttle hurdle relay was their best ever.
-
Fitness club is expanding
CLINTON — Less than two years after opening, the Iron Horse Fitness Club is more than tripling their space by moving to the former Rodeo Saloon and Feedhouse. Owners Ashley and Brad Gendreau, 31, of Thomson, Ill., will move by August from the locatio
- A few issues to be resolved This past week was once again rumored to be the last week for legislators at the Statehouse, but while many of the major budget bills were agreed upon, a few of the most stubborn issues remain to be resolved. The House and Senate have now agreed on h
-
Panthers take 2nd at state
A successful track season was capped by a second place performance for Erie/Prophetstown on Saturday at the Illinois Class1A girls track and field state meet.
-
Striding for awareness
CAMANCHE -- Organizers for the third annual Strides for Clinton County Autism Family Walk and 5K run agreed that Saturday's turnout was better than last year. "It's getting bigger every year," Lori Bigwood, one of the organizers for the event, said.
- Clinton avoids heavy storm CLINTON -- Jim Blaess, official weather observer for the National Weather Service, said Clinton County was lucky during Sunday's storms. "We dodged a bullet," said Blaess, adding that the county did not see any tornados. The county did not receive a
-
Gas prices up 11 cents over past 2 weeks
CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) -- The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has jumped 11 cents over the past two weeks. The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday says the price of a gallon of regular is $3.66. Midgrade costs an average of $3.8
- More Top News Headlines
-
High hopes as season starts
