The Penn State Berks Christian Student Fellowship (CSF), a student group, spent their spring break in Washington D.C., working with the Center for Student Mission. The group of eleven students from Penn State Berks departed on Sunday, March 3, 2013, and returned on Saturday, March 9.
During their week, students worked in soup kitchens to prepare breakfast and/or lunch each day and then worked at an after-school program in the afternoon.
The trip was organized by Pastor David Hershey, adviser to the Berks student group and member of the Christian Student Foundation of Pennsylvania. Hershey believes the trip built a sense of community and friendship.
?Clearly one goal is to help others,? stated Hershey. ?But I want the students to learn and to develop a heart to serve others throughout their lives. This may not be classroom learning, but it is part of the college learning experience. Most of all, I want them to see what we do on this trip not as separate from what happens on campus at Penn State Berks, but as a vital part of it.?
In addition, Mark Groff, Sergeant in Police Services at Penn State Berks, also accompanied the student group. Groff is also actively involved in the group's activities.
Penn State Berks student volunteers included juniors Elizabeth Boulanger from West Lawn and Hannah McConnell from Mullica Hill, NJ; sophomores Bryson Bugay from Sinking Spring, Lauren Dale from Downingtown, Samantha Kelly from New Tripoli; Anthony Lesko from Slatington, Heather Nelson from Robesonia, and first-year students Gabriella Antonio from Gilbertsville, Nathan Koehler from Whitehall, Margaret Rash from Mechanicsburg, and Brianna Turman from Birdsboro.