"What I Did This Winter"

Vicki Bouttavong

Major: Public Affairs Journalism

Activity: Alternative Winter Break

"One Heartland is a nonprofit organization that organizes a camp for children infected or who know someone infected with HIV/AIDS. I helped improve the facilities of Camp Heartland over winter break with tasks such as carving signs, cleaning the campground, and painting walls. Our help gave the camp directors time to focus on the more important aspects of the camp, such as budget and recruiting volunteers, instead of responsibilities that required the help of many bodies. I also learned about the struggles these young people face daily--the torment of being the "kid with AIDS," the loss of friends because parents don't want their kids to get infected, and the strength they must have when they lose someone they love to HIV/AIDS. Camp Heartland gives kids this opportunity to live a life where it doesn't matter if they have HIV/AIDS and are loved for who they are as people. This trip impacted my perspective on life but I am glad I was able to contribute to such a good cause."

Andy DeLong

Major: Speech and Hearing Science

Activity: Alternative Winter Break

"I was able to spend my winter break in Attalla, Alabama, at the Tigers for Tomorrow exotic animal preserve with seven other participants and an advisor. We spent our week preparing a field to be a camel habitat, cleaning animal cages (yes: lions, tigers, and bears), and preparing the animals' meals. Most of the participants are studying in animal sciences and the environment, which made the trip extra special. This trip opened my eyes in particular to animal and environmental conservation, a social issue that typically isn't addressed in your everyday community service efforts, but deserves just as much attention as poverty, education, and the like."

Lindsey Heuvel

Major: Human Resources

Activity: Alternative Winter Break

"This winter break I went to Biloxi, Mississippi and helped build a home with Habitat for Humanity through the Alternative Winter Break program. It's hard to describe the emotions you feel when you are part of a group of 50+ amazing people that would rather build a house for someone they probably will never meet than sit at home eating Christmas cookies with their own family.During my trip my friend gave me a book to read, called Love is a Mix Tape. A quote from it has completely summed up my trip:You lose a certain kind of innocence when you experience this type of kindness. You lose your right to be a jaded cynic. You can no longer go back through the looking glass and pretend not to know what you know about kindness.In a world of jaded businessmen and women, it was great to be reminded that there are still people out there willing to drop everything to help others. It gives me hope for my future in the corporate world!"

Dan Melena

Major: Family Resource Management

Activity: Alternative Winter Break

"Over winter break, I went to Biloxi, Mississippi. In the areas where Hurricane Katrina destroyed homes, we worked with Habitat for Humanity building houses. This experience opened my eyes to a lot of new things, made me realize how fortunate I am to have what I do, and taught me how much community service can change your life. When I graduate, I want to get involved in nonprofit work by either joining AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps, or working with a nonprofit group helping out with the financial aspects. This was my best winter break ever and I would recommend all students get involved with community service! "

Jessica Preston

Major: Construction Systems Management

Activity: Job shadowing at Elford, Inc.

"I feel like I know so much more about how the business of construction works. I learned about Elford's site specific safety program and went to two job sites with a safety inspector. It was very interesting and a great opportunity. The next day, I shadowed a project manager and attended a OAM (owner, architect, manager) meeting for the Grant Hospital Bone & Joint Center. It was fun to review the budget and see the floor plans with all the changes being made. Afterwards we walked around the actual building. On the third day, I learned about computer programs used in the construction business and saw 3-D imaging software (Arch CAD) used to model out different subcontractors plans. Finally, I spent a day in bid review meetings. We reviewed bids for roofing and masonry projects and went over the specifics of the plan and safety rules. I had a great experience. I was told that I could come back whenever I have any free time during school or breaks! So I'll definitely be back there."

Kyle Reiser

Major: Sociology

Activity: Alternative Winter Break

"This winter break eight OSU students were able to travel to Dearborn, Michigan to the Arab-American National Museum. While there, we learned about the culture of an entire people through music, food, and dance. We were glad to help out with the museum's holiday party for local kids helping to create a memorable holiday experience for everyone involved. We also partnered up with the nonprofit organization Bridging Communities to help an elderly woman clean and resituate her apartment. It was a wonderful experience for us all."

Ellis Robinson

Major: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Activity: Engineering trip to Guatemala

"This winter I went to San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala. Why did I go? I like coffee, bicycles, and think that engineering education needs more spice. I was able to combine all of these interests into my winter break this year. For 11 days, we (6 OSU students) were volunteers at Organizacion MayaPedal where we built and designed bicimaquinas ("bike machines"). The technology is used to thresh corn, pump water, make peanut butter, generate electricity, etc. for people in the surrounding area as tools of small-business."