Steven Camarena

From March 5th to March 10th on spring break, I went to Atlanta along with my peers during the alternative break experience trip to do service relating to environmentalism and animal welfare. On Monday, we went to Furkids Atlanta, a cat rescue location, to help clean the outside area such as putting pine needles and raking leaves. On Tuesday, we helped organize books and pack boxes at Books for Africa so that areas in Africa can have a wide selection of books and read from math textbooks to nursing textbooks. On Wednesday, we went to Piedmont Park to clean up trash in the park as well as move unwanted shopping carts. On Thursday, we aided at Trees for Atlanta where we helped put down mulch to help trees downtown grow as well as clean up trash near the fountains. Overall, I enjoyed my time helping the community of Atlanta and having a better understanding of my environment as well as the animals that live there. I appreciate all of the staff and housing that we met during the week as well as our trip leaders and driver. I would like to be a part of the alternative break experience trip again next year to have a better understanding of other locations in the state and take that knowledge to help my Memphis community too.

I enjoyed my time helping clean my community today. The staff were helpful and nice. I hope to continue to help with Memphis City Beautiful in the future.

I enjoyed my time working with Habitat for Humanity. I also enjoyed working with the other vounteers and the kind staff there too. I helped with organizing with furniture and home needs. Finally, I would like to work again and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

I enjoyed my time volunteering during the Trap, Neuter, Release Service Event. I helped carry and set the traps to help the stray cats so they could be spayed and neutered, later released after being taken care of. I also appreciated the staff and peers who helped with the event as well. Finally, I have a better understanding of the cat population in Memphis, and how spaying and neutering can be beneficial for them.

I had a great experience picking up trash in the community with the other volunteers.