CR
Carson Rader-Bell
  • college student personnel administration
  • Class of 2015
  • Purcellville, VA

Carson Rader-Bell of Purcellville, VA Spends Thanksgiving Break Serving Others

2012 Nov 28

Carson Rader-Bell of Purcellville, VA spent Thanksgiving break serving others as part of JMU's Alternative Thanksgiving Break program. Instead of returning home to family and friends and celebrating over turkey and mashed potatoes, Rader-Bell joined a group of eight students who worked with Medici Project in Atlanta, Ga.

The Alternative Thanksgiving breaks planned by student leaders took place during JMU's Nov. 17–25 break. Students on the Georgia trip worked specifically with an agency called Safehouse that supports and works with at-risk children such as teenage mothers or children of incarcerated parents. The students had the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and programs catered to the needs of the agency. At the end of the week, the students put together a Thanksgiving dinner for those who needed it most.

JMU'S award-winning Alternative Break Program provides learning opportunities for students outside of the classroom where they focus on social issues by interacting with a local nonprofit, living simply and reflecting on the critical issues faced by the people they serve. Trips occur at Thanksgiving, spring break, in May and on various weekends throughout the year.

For information about JMU's Alternative Break Program, including an interactive map showcasing past service trips and Community Service-Learning, check http://www.jmu.edu/service/.

Rader-Bell is majoring in health sciences and is scheduled to graduate in 2013.