Spring Break is a time for respite and relaxation for students across the nation, but for our inspiring members, it is also a time for community service hours for teens.
Fifty high school students in Sarasota dedicated 774 service hours to nine different nonprofit partners and community sites through Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties’ 8th annual Alternative Spring Break, March 14 to 18.
“Alternative Spring Break gives our high school students a sense of ownership in their community,” said Caroline Nigro, Teen Program Director at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. “They get to learn about our area’s key resources, give back, and see how they can help our partners make a difference in Sarasota and its neighboring counties.”
About Alternative Spring Break
Each year, The Club invites local high school students to sign up for this free opportunity to connect with meaningful causes. This year, the participants had the chance to build their resume, network with a diverse group of professionals, and earn up to 30 community service hours.
“I took part in ASB because I wanted to have something to do over spring break that involved giving back to my community. One of my goals this school year was to be more civically engaged and ASB provided me with that opportunity,” said Akiel R., a junior a Sarasota Military Academy who completed 30 hours of service this Spring Break.
Types of Volunteer Projects
Volunteer projects included sorting nonperishable food items for distribution to families with All Faiths Food Bank; cleaning up the community with Sarasota County Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources; making animal beds for the kittens at Cat Depot; assisting with emergency preparedness with the American Red Cross of Southwest Florida; engaging in intergenerational conversations with senior citizens at Senior Friendship Centers; and more.
“By volunteering at places like the Red Cross, the Cat Depot, and the Club itself, I was able to help my community through physical means. I created bedspreads for cats, helped with first-aid bags at the Red Cross, created a fun day for the children at The Club, and more,” said Fatima M., a senior at Riverview High School.
Our teens said it best: Alternative Spring Break is a chance to expand your experience, grow your resume, and find your passion all while doing good for the community.
For more information about Alternative Spring Break, visit theclubsdc.org or call 941-366-3911.
Enjoy this picture gallery of our teens hard at work during Alternative Spring Break.
