Paying it forward, one city at a time

Spring break is often a time when college students pack their bags, head toward warmer climates, and take a vacation from tests, quizzes, and homework. Volunteering is not found on a majority of their activity lists. The organization Students Today Leaders Forever (STLF) would like to see that change.

The Minneapolis-based organization believes students can learn leadership skills through positive experiences and volunteering opportunities during their high school and college years. One of the largest and most successful of these opportunities is the "Pay It Forward Tour."

The Pay It Forward Tour is an extensive community service project spanning across several cities. Students travel on buses to destinations in need of volunteers' help. Students also complete service projects in towns along the way to their final destination city. Student volunteers visit a total of six cities over the course of nine days. Over 6,300 students have been involved on 165 tours, working a total of 79,000 hours to make lives better and the environment safer. The university STLF chapter is participating in their sixth tour this year, which will take them to New Orleans, LA, where they will assist in various projects throughout the city. The trip spans from Friday, March 12 to March 20 and costs $450 to cover traveling expenses, some meals, and lodging. Additional information can be found at www.stlf.net.

ast year, three buses carrying approximately 100 UND students hit the road, two heading for Washington D.C. and one traveling toward Memphis, TN. On the way to the "celebration" city, students completed service projects at nature preserves, state parks, nursing homes, an equine therapy ranch, building Habitat for Humanity homes, cleaning up rivers, and even spent a day ridding forested areas of invasive species. "Whatever service project you can think of we probably did," remarks STLF member Kyle Herau.

The service was not without its rewards. The residents of the visited cities enjoyed the students' presence in their community. "They were very grateful," explains Herau. "In fact, they asked if a bus with UND students would be coming back next year."

Herau encourages students to give the tour a shot, even if only a small part of them wants to do to. "It's a very worthwhile experience. Not only do you get to travel the country inexpensively but you do it with UND students who love doing volunteer work and making a difference."