A Wonderful Spring Break!

My Spring Break in The Big Apple was absolutely fantastic. I got to experience a plane ride for the first time and make many new friends that go to Point Park. The community service projects that we did were shoveling snow off of a playground so that kids were able to play, leveling a dog running park, teaching the needy how to use the Internet and making them food and reorganizing a Housing Works store in Chelsea for their spring preview where all of the benefits help people struggling with HIV/AIDS.

Shoveling the snow from the park was more fun than I thought it would be. We got the park cleaned up and ready to go, and it was a great feeling to see the kids be able to run excitedly and start playing. Zoe, John and myself ended up

getting to play too. After we finished removing the snow, we went down to a nearby dog running park and helped level the sand so it w

as even for the dogs and their owners. I have to say, I've never seen so many people in New York City walking their dogs. I made friends with/petted over 20 dogs on the trip.

The next day we went to the Moravian House and helped teach the needy how to use the Internet and basic programs on the computer. We also ran to a local market and made the residents three types of pudding, rice crispy treats and fruit salad. They residents were so nice and welcoming an

d I think they had a good time, as did we.

Our third volunteer

project was helping out at a store called Housing Works in Chelsea, NY. All of the items

in Housing Wor

ks are donated and all of the proceeds benefit people battling the HIV/AIDS virus. It reminded me of an Urban Outfitters but with more of a variety. There were Prada, Coach and Chanel shoes as well as name brand purses and awesome clothes. It was so hard to resist wanting to take everything home! Zoe, Anna and I passed out flyers on the subway promoting the Spring Preview event that we were working for. Some of us painted, color-coordinated clothes, organized shoes and moved furniture. It was a great experience and something that I will definitely remember for the rest of my life.

I'm very glad that I was able to go on the Alternative Spring Break to NYC. It was such a great opportunity to help others while having a blast in the city.