Ryan Schreiber's United Way Alternative Spring Break in New Orleans

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

Over the past three years, I've been fortunate enough to travel to the Gulf Coast during my spring break in college and then during vacation time once I joined the workforce after graduation. Two years in Lake Charles, LA and one in Biloxi, MS has allowed me the opportunity to help rebuild homes, after-school centers and lives for those who have been affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Five years after those colossal storms, there is still much work to be done. This year, I am heading to New Orleans for a week in March to do much of the same. I will be leading a team of 18 college students from different states to help work on homes that are still being built for residents of St. Bernard's Parish – an area of New Orleans devastaed by Katrina.

I know during this tough ecomony that many cannot afford to help as much as they'd like. And with donations to Haiti in recent weeks, there is little left in bank accounts to help out. But if you are able and can find it in your heart, any amount is greatly appreciated. It will take over $1,200 alone to fund the rental of vehicles to transport us throughout the week to and from our work sites. In addition, we all need to pay for our lodging and meals as well as transportation down to Louisiana. In total, the entire cost of the trip will be around $10,000. I think it's an admirable plan to give up their week of fun to participate in a program such as this!

This year, we have students from Purdue, Montclair State (NJ), West Point, Indiana and SUNY Brockport among others. The project is sponsored in part by United Way of Greater Lafayette and the Purdue University Student United Way.

Again, your help is greatly appreciated by us and by those who are still in dire straits after the storms.