TCNJ FSL Service Stories 2014 April 2014 | Page 5

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"For the past two years I, along with around thirty of my brothers, have traveled down to New Orleans as members of the Alternate Break Club here at The College of New Jersey. Our mission has been to help rebuild the houses of the residents of New Orleans that were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. For the first couple days of the trip, it just seemed like another community service project. However, after getting to know the site managers with whom we had been working, I started to realize how much of a change we were actually making. I am sure I can speak for most of the volunteers, though, when I say that we did not fully understand the impact of our work until we were given the opportunity to meet with the homeowners. After seeing the gratitude on their faces it all came together.

I can honestly that out of all my experiences here at The College, there have been a few that have had a major impact on my life and I am glad to say that this is one of them. It is rare to be given the opportunity to do something that can change your view of the world. I am glad to say that I have been given this chance for the past two years and hopefully in the upcoming year. What turned into a simple service trip to rebuild homes turned into an experience that I will carry with me for years to come."--Matt Sandor