Spring Break Volunteering With United Way

Mega charity/volunteer organization United Way* has been leading the way in alternative spring break volunteering options over the last few years, and this year will be no exception: trips haven't been anounced yet for 2012, but these were the fab opportunities United Way offered last year for doing good over spring break volunteering:

March 6 -12, 2011

• Gulf Coast/South Mississippi: United Way's "Storm Corps" went south for the first time in 2006 on an alternative spring break, helping to rebuild and reconstruct communities in Louisiana and Mississippi in the wakes of hurricanes like Katrina -- check out the project's past Storm Corps blog for inspiration or the website for 2011's Gulf Coast ASB volunteering opportunities (helping to build new housing or repair housing damaged by Katrina; assisting low-income families with income tax preparation [like maximizing use of the earned income tax credit to help families hit by Katrina, the recession and 2010’s oil spill]). Cost: $250; includes meals and lodging.

March 11-18, 2011

• El Paso, Texas: United Way will collaborate with the Lower Valley Housing Corporation (LVHC) to build homes for families served by the LVHC. Cost: $150; includes meals and lodging.

Or, hook up your own team in 2012 to volunteer with United Way -- get the details on United Way's website.

If you're 18 or over and want to join up with United Way for some alternative spring break volunteering, hop to the website and get started:

• United Way Alternative Spring Break

Find out more about other alternative spring break ideas:

• Alternative Spring Break Volunteering Ideas for 2012

*Who/what is United Way? According to the organization's website, "United Way is a national network of nearly 1,300 local organizations that work to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health." Learn more.