Holy Cross Students Participate in Spring Break Service Programs

WORCESTER, Mass. – Approximately 300 Holy Cross students will depart from Worcester on March 2 to spend their spring break participating in the Appalachia Service Program and Habitat for Humanity.

Students involved in the Appalachia Service Program (a program created at Holy Cross more than 20 years ago) will travel to 11 sites in Virginia and Kentucky to assist with home repair, visit the elderly, work in soup kitchens, help the disabled and tutor school children. The program is being lead by Chris Kearns-Barrett, a 1983 graduate of Holy Cross. (His wife, Marybeth Kearns-Barrett, is an associate director in the chaplains' office at Holy Cross and a member of the Class of 1984.) Marianne Bellino and Joe Petriello, both members of the Class of 2002, are the student coordinators.

A chapter of Habitat for Humanity was established at Holy Cross two years ago. Groups of student volunteers will travel to 12 sites in Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Alabama to build low-income housing. Entirely student-run, Holy Cross Habitat for Humanity volunteers work in Worcester and Northboro year-round. They are in the process of building the first Holy Cross co-sponsored house in Worcester. Last year, Holy Cross' chapter was recognized nationally as the college who sent the most student volunteers. Ryan Leonard and Maura Kaveney, both members of the Class of 2002, are the student coordinators.