Oklahoma! Oklahoma!

By Kyle Christensen
Courier Staff

Alternative Spring Break, a philanthropic organization that has been in effect on campus for roughly 10 years, will be heading to Tulsa, Okla. in March to participate in numerous social awareness activities and humanitarian projects.

Senior Kevin Gebraski and junior Mollie Williams, the group’s student leaders, are optimistic about plans for this year.

From March 3 to March 12, approximately 18 students will spend a little over a week working for Habitat for Humanity, volunteering at a soup kitchen and homeless shelter, and providing renovation labor at Tulsa’s East Side Christian Church parish, where they will also be living for the duration of their visit.

Additionally, a day devoted just for building the students’ sense of morale and enjoyment is being planned, which will likely consist of dinner and an arranged fun activity afterward.

Unlike most colleges that become involved in such charitable benefits, MC’s Alternative Spring Break is a completely autonomous and self-reliant syndicate that constructs its own exclusive agenda for every outing.

“A lot of schools do a pre-packaged [plan],” according to Gebraski. “We do it all ourselves, so that we can do what we want to do.”

Preparations for this upcoming season were made with the assistance of Travis McKee, a 2005 MC alumnus and former Student Chaplain.

In the past, Alternative Spring Break has visited an assortment of locations, including several U.S. states, such as North Carolina, Arkansas and Colorado, and principal cities like Nashville, Tenn. and St. Louis, Mo.

Williams summarized the essential goals of the program, stating, “The entire purpose of this trip is to allow students to do service work.”

However, beyond those basic intentions, Williams also emphasized many more valuable aspects, including having the opportunity to spend time with friends, creating new lasting relationships, and exploring other areas of the world, all while fulfilling the core objective of making a positive contribution to society.

Any interested students are encouraged to contact Williams or Gebraski as soon as possible, in conjunction with filling out an application and paying the required $50 membership fee.