Jessica Fitrakis
  • sociology
  • Midland, MI

Jessica Fitrakis, of Midland, among SVSU students volunteering Thanksgiving at disabled veterans building

2013 Nov 26

Jessica Fitrakis, a sociology major from Midland, is among five Saginaw Valley State University students who will spend Thanksgiving helping disabled veterans.

As part of the university's Alternative Breaks program, the group will travel to the Disabled American Veterans building in Detroit from Thursday, Nov. 28 to Saturday, Nov. 30.

"Just seeing people come out and help them makes the veterans feel good," said one of the five students, Taylor Huebler-Davis, a junior studying nursing. "That really answers the question of, 'What are you thankful for.' We're thankful for the veterans that helped give us our freedom."

Fitrakis, a sociology major, will volunteer in the Disabled American Veterans' warehouse, helping with donations in the production room while cleaning the retail floor.

Alternative Breaks is a student-led program that sends volunteers to sites in need of help during breaks in the academic calendar. Last year, SVSU students volunteered at locations including Boston, San Francisco and Birmingham.