For college students across the state, the month of March means spring break. A time to get away from books and tests and just relax…maybe catch some sun and sand.
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But for one UW-Eau Claire student, it’s a time to volunteer in the hot Louisiana sun.
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UWEC sophomore, Amanda Meyer, won’t be spending any time on the beach this spring break. Instead, she’ll be helping some people in Louisiana who are still rebuilding after Hurricane Rita.
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"I'll be going to southwest Louisiana, Lake Charles, and we're going to be rebuilding houses that were destroyed by Hurricane Rita in 2005,” Meyer said.
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Meyer will work with volunteer college students from across the country in the United Way’s Storm Corps. Meyer says she first heard about the group through an ad on MTV.
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"I had actually visited Louisiana in 2005 before Hurricane Rita and Katrina, and I fell in love with the area and the culture, and when I saw this advertisement I just really wanted to help out."
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So, while some of her friends may be following different pursuits this spring break, Meyer will be giving of herself.
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"I tried to get some of them to do it, but they just didn't see what they could do to help,” Meyer said.
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But Meyer says she sees the good in how she’ll be spending her spring break.
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“I think it's a way for the youth in America to just step up and show that we can give back to our own communities."
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Meyer will fly to the Gulf Coast region this Saturday, and return to the Chippewa Valley the Saturday after that.
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She says members of her family have donated money to help her pay for her plane ticket. From there she says everything is provided for her, including housing and a taste of some Cajun cooking.