The Spring Break Plunge

Spring Break Plunge (alternate Spring Break) took place in Spring of 2006 and 2007. Students traveled to New Orleans to muck and help rebuild homes that were damaged by the Hurricane.

In 2006, when students returned to campus they created an educational program called, “What’s really is going on in New Orleans?” The program received ASUR Outstanding Education Program of the Year at the CAB Awards ceremony in May. Several of the students who participated in that trip organized a return trip for May Break.

Football Team Travels to Gulf
The football team enrolled in the University's Community Service Activity Courses and traveled to New Orleans in April (2006 and 2007) to muck out and rebuild homes.

In 2006, they mucked for 13 days straight, setting a record --45 homes. Homeowners and the organization they worked with were thrilled by what the team accomplished. Students who participated stated that the experience was a positive and life-changing event. Many of them returned on their own (some, for the fourth time!).

Alumni and Staff Volunteer in the Gulf A group of nearly 50 University of Redlands alumni and staff traveled this past February in what was described as “a life-changing experience” in New Orleans where they helped rebuild homes devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Ranging in age from 17 to 72 and traveling from as far away as Massachusetts and California, the alumni gathered for a week of hard work with Habitat for Humanity. The group stayed in Habitat’s Camp Hope in New Orleans and helped build houses in New Orleans' East Parish. “By day two, our group was so impacted by the devastation in the surrounding area we all voted to come back again next year and bring a friend,” recalled Julie Michaels ’92, past-president of the University’s Alumni Board. Plans are underway for next year’s service trip with space for 100 volunteers. The majority of this year’s travel group has already signed up to go again.

Thank you to all the groups and individuals that participated in these service trips!