A group of 25 students, accompanied by Erin Hood, graduate coordinator for service and volunteerism, and Erin Hundley, coordinator for leadership and involvement, will travel to New Orleans as part of UMBC’s first Alternative Spring Break. Sponsored by the Office of Student Life, the students will help with the ongoing rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city more than two years ago.

The group, in conjunction with the non-profit organization Community Collaborations International, will spend six days in Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes rebuilding homes, planting trees and providing volunteer support to local social service agencies. The group will also participate in nightly reflections about its work and experiences.

Junior interdisciplinary studies major Amy Lynne Bers, who traveled to New Orleans one year ago while at Howard Community College, said the trip can be a hard experience for any participant.

“Mentally, sometimes, I just had to get away,” recalled Bers. “Gutting out a person’s home was physically strenuous for me but it was more difficult to know that I was actually tearing down a piece of someone’s life.”

Financial donations are needed to supplement the cost of the trip. The group will host Katrina Relief Bingo Nite on Wednesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in the Sports Zone, located in The Commons. Prizes will include donations from businesses, movies, gift cards and more. Donations are also being accepted via http://www.firstgiving.com/umbckatrinarelief.

For more information, contact Erin Hood, graduate coordinator for service and volunteerism at hood2@umbc.edu or ext. 5-3457.