Sandy Still Matters: Hurricane Sandy Benefit Concert

         On Wednesday March 13, 2013 students gathered in the Students Center at Eastern Connecticut State University to watch talented local performers and to raise money for Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief. All proceeds from this event went to an Alternative Spring Break trip to New Jersey, where Eastern students aided in disaster relief projects.

          Performances included Hanging Hills, a local band, of which include two members of the Center of Community Engagement Elliot Woolworth and Max Robinson, took the stage first and set the tone for the night. Next Fallin’ Flat graced the stage with their renditions of ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ and ‘Just a Kiss’ among many other popular songs. The Repertory Dance Troupe then performed a lyrical piece, followed by local band Balcony, who rocked the stage with a mixture of original and cover songs.

Overall this was a great event that supported local talent and raised money for a good cause. We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future.

         If you would like to donate to this cause contact the Center for Community Engagement at cce@easternc.edu

Pre-Alternative Spring Break!

The week of Spring Break is finally upon the students at Eastern and there is so much to be excited about! Students have been working hard and finishing up midterms in order to be ready for a week off of school. Many people associate spring break with craziness and somewhere tropical. This year for spring break seven students and an AmeriCorps VISTA are headed to Sequanota State Park to partake in Alternative Spring Break.

An Alternative Spring Break is taking the week during spring break to give back to a community in need. This year the group will be cleaning and maintaining trails at Sequanota State Park, helping out at a local soup kitchen, and offering a helping hand wherever there is a need. Sequanota State Park is located in Jennerstown, PA, an eight hour drive from Eastern.

Co-trip leader, Lauren Kostak (Environmental Earth Science Major, Canton CT) said "I'm excited to spend time outside, giving back to the community, and meeting new people." This is Lauren's second ASB trip through Eastern and her first time leading one. "There has been so much prep work to get ready for our week, so now that it's finally upon us, I can't wait! It'll be exciting to see all our hard work being played out." Lauren is definitely ready for an exciting week!

One way in which the trip members have been preparing is through the fundraising. The students vacuumed and cleaned windows of cars for the Eastern faculty and staff a few weeks ago. This fundraiser was met with many happy ECSU staff members. In total the group raised $415!

The ASB trip members will be leaving Eastern bright and early on Sunday morning! Can't wait to hear how their week went once they get back!

Trip Members:
Lauren Kostak (co-trip leader), Brae Ferguson (co-trip leader), Kristina Scherber (AmeriCorps VISTA), Calvin Underwood, Todd Mitnick, Tom Przybylek, Anna Sobanski, Zaniab Giwa

Alternative Spring Break: Car Clean Up!

This past Friday, March 2, there was a different kind of commotion occurring in the parking lot next to the Gelsi-Young building. The Alternative Spring Break members were busily cleaning faculty cars to raise a little bit of money for their expedition to Pennsylvania!

Trip members stood outside from 12pm-5pm vacuuming out cars and wiping windows clean for the ECSU staff. Junior co-trip leader, Lauren Kostak (Environmental Earth Science Major, Canton, CT) stated "this has been a wonderful fundraiser. Having the Eastern faculty and staff willing to help students achieve their goals is awesome. I know all of us really appreciate their generosity".

The Alternative Spring Break will be occurring during the Spring Break week (March19-26) and the trip members will be headed to Jennerstown, Pennsylvania. They will be staying at Sequanota State Park in cabins and helping the Park staff to clean and maintain trails, work at a local soup kitchen, and provide any other helping hands that are needed in the area.

"We are really excited about heading to PA. I can't wait to see what the trails have to offer us! We are bonding quickly as a team and work well together." Said Junior co-trip leader, Brae Ferguson (Communications Major, Bethel, CT).

Overall, the ASB trip members made $415 during their time cleaning cars! Congratulations to all the trip members and good luck!

Left to right: Lauren Kostak (trip leader), Calvin Underwood, Brae Ferguson (trip leader), Kristina Scherber (ECSU staff supervisor), Tom Przybylek, Todd Mitnick
Not Pictured: Anna Sobanski, Zanaib Giwa

President's Weekend Service Trip in NH!

The CCE is offering an Alternative Break during President’s Weekend, which will be February 17-21. We will be going to the Crotched Mountain Foundation in Greenfield, NH to work with children and adults who have brain injuries. Most of what we will be doing is social interaction and some of our time will be spent helping to paint. Activities include: karaoke, games, movie nights, arts and crafts, bowling, gym games, bingo, etc! They also have a hospital on site with patients who are on ventilators that would really love guest to chat with.

The trip includes transportation, meals, and lodging! At an extremely affordable cost of only $85-$100 this is a great trip! The spots are VERY limited so if you are interested, please review the attached information. Attached you will find an information sheet that I believe will answer your questions. Additionally, you will find the application to attend. Please note that space is extremely limited! Applications should be submitted via e-mail to me or dropped off at the CCE (located in room 205 of Wood) by January 11, 2012!

To receive an application and detailed information sheet, please e-mail or call Brit!

Office Number: 860-465-0684

E-mail Address: cavab@easternct.edu

Looking for an adventure?!

Want to help others while working outdoors? Sign up today for the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) to PA, where we will be doing trail maintenance and volunteering in a soup kitchen. There is also ziplining and hiking in our free time! Applications available in Wood 205 or from scherberk@easternct.edu




Camille at 2011 ASB in Virginia