SVSU student John Duly, of Midland, spending spring break volunteering in Willow River, Minnesota

2016 Mar 9

John Duly, of Midland, is one of 82 Saginaw Valley State University students participating in the institution's Alternative Breaks program, which is a student-led organization that sends its members across the U.S. to perform volunteer work during traditional school break periods.

Duly, a nursing major, is traveling with a group of nine SVSU students to Willow River, Minnesota. The group is helping with building and maintenance projects at One Heartland, a retreat center for people affected by HIV and AIDS.

This initiative is one of eight trips being organized by SVSU's Alternative Breaks during the university's spring break period from March 7 to March 13.

The eight trips include the following:

• A group of 10 students are in Washington, D.C. The group is working with the Church of the Epiphany to feed and serve the homeless in Washington, D.C.
• A group of nine SVSU students are in Willow River, Minnesota. They are helping with building and maintenance projects at One Heartland, a retreat center for people affected by HIV and AIDS.
• A group of 12 SVSU students are in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, the group is helping Little Light House, a school for special needs children, by providing educational and therapeutic services.
• A group of 11 SVSU students are in Xenia, Ohio. They are helping workers at 4 Paws For Ability, a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to people with disabilities. The students are helping to train puppies and dogs.
• A group of 11 SVSU students are in Hoschton, Georgia. There, they are helping workers at Medici Project, which works with agencies in Atlanta to prevent urban poverty and human trafficking.
• A group of 12 SVSU students are in Asheville, North Carolina. They are helping workers at the YMCA of Western North Carolina to develop service organizations in the community.
• A group of five SVSU students are in Kanab, Utah. The group is assisting workers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary with caring for abused and neglected animals.
• A group of 12 SVSU students are in Toms River, New Jersey. They are helping Habitat For Humanity work on homes.