In college, winter and spring breaks are synonymous with doing the minimal amount of physical activity possible for the maximum amount of time possible. Whether that’s binging on Netflix and Chipotle while lying on the couch during winter break or soaking up the rays on the beach in Mexico over spring break, all you know is that work is the last thing on your mind. And that’s the exact mentality I had going into this winter break, until I was given the opportunity to give something back.
Over this winter break, I was able to go to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to work with Habitat for Humanity. For those who haven’t heard of Habitat for Humanity, they are a nonprofit organization founded on the conviction that every child should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. They generally work with places that have been affected by a natural disaster or low-income areas. Me and the team of college students I traveled with were given the chance to work on a house essentially from the ground up to provide for a single mother and 3 children.
Never having done a trip like this before, I had no idea what to expect from it. I was equal parts nervous and excited. This trip was filled with 8:30-to-4 work days consisting of 20-degree weather and manual labor, and I loved every second of it. It was so amazing to see what 22 college students could do in 5 short days on a work site. We all worked as a team to achieve a common goal and were able to learn as much about construction as we were able to learn about ourselves in the process. The best days were the ones where we got to work with the future homeowners and to see the amazing amount of gratitude she had towards us was overwhelming. It was crazy to think the time that I usually spent in a vegetative state on my parents couch could be used to make such a difference in another person’s life.
Being a member of the Greek community, we constantly talk about philanthropy and service. Philanthropy is a value that is truly at the heart of the Greek community and I believe that trips like these really embody the kinds of common goals we try to achieve. Trips like these are an opportunity to give back in the most sincere way possible, to work with someone individually and help to make their goals come true.
If you’re feeling inspired to switch off the TV and make a difference during your next break, you can look into trips like this through Buck-I-Serv at Ohio State University or through other clubs!
