Putting the "Fun" in Fundraising...

So asking for money, or trying to come up with a creative way to raise a lot of it isn't usually a fun task. SBA trips require a lot of fundraising, and luckily, SBA knows how to make it a good time...

From a 5K run, to a midnight pancake breakfast, from raking to rocking out at SBAide, oh, and don't forget selling fleece jackets and calendars, the SBA program finds a number of ways to raise money for its participants to participate in the program.

There are also "Dear Friend" letters, sent by each participant to friends, family and local businesses in their hometowns and surrounding areas.

Although it can be a challenge to pull together all of the $1,500 international trip participants are asked to raise, the reality is one where small donations add up to make a big difference!

If you can wait...

Stock or Broth:
3 lb chicken wings or backs
3 lb chicken feet
half head garlic (unpeeled)
2-3 leeks washed, cut into fourths
1 lg onion, peeled, cut into fourths
6-8 celery stalks, cut into fourths + leaves
salt to taste
20-25 peppercorns (white)
3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bunch parsley
Put chicken parts in stockpot and add water to cover, bring to a simmer, skimming all the while. When scum ceases add remaining ingredients. Bring back to a simmer. Cover, leaving small opening. Simmer for 2-3 hours. Strain broth through washed cheese cloth, discard all other ingredients. Put broth in refrigerator after cooled and let broth harden on the top. Remove fat from top and discard. Reserve broth for soup.

Soup:
2+ quarts broth
2 celery stalks thinly sliced
2 large carrots thinly sliced
2 bunches green onions thinly sliced
1/4 lb thin pasta (vermicelli) broken into 1 inch pieces; or orzo etc.
season to taste with salt and pepper
simmer until vegetables and pasta are tender and flavorful
add 2 cups cooked chicken (bite sized pieces) and continue simmering until chicken is warmed

More YouTube: Our Site!

Fun!

Oh the joys of YouTube and procrastination! Check out a video of the "interesting" airport landing in Honduras...

Raking

So today was our first day of raking. Initially, we were supposed to go last weekend but it was just too wet. The only dilemma today was that wind was so strong. Once we raked the leaves into a pile they just flew all over the place. On the upside, we had a lot of fun.

It was an early morning; 8:30am is brutal on a Saturday for any college student. We met at the Romero Center and collected our supplies, 6 rakes and a few leaf bags. Who knew one yard would require so many more bags than we anticipated. Upon arrival to the house we were supposed to be cleaning up, I noticed that this was the same yard that my trip (South Dakota) had raked last year. Funny how these things happen. What everyone expected to be a quick pick-up turned into a 3 hour project.

We started off strong, raking up the front of the house like we were professional landscapers. We soon realized that the few bags we had taken with us was not going to suffice. We all piled into the cars and took a little road trip to find some more leaf bags. Three stores later we come across an ACE Hardware. Naturally, we figured 25 bags would be fine for the rest of front yard and the full backyard. It almost wasn't.

I really love raking. It's a great bonding experience and it is so much fun to spend time with your group. We share in each others suffering. Cold hands, dirt in the eyes, leaves in the mouth, and sore backs from bending over. Overall though, it's great because this is where trips begin to form their closest bonds and inside jokes. Tomorrow is day 2 of raking and I'm looking forward to it. :)

100 Days

A milestone like 100 days seemed like a good time to start. Welcome to SBA Honduras 2009.

If you are reading this, you are, more likely than not, aware of Spring Break Alternative, and the trip to Honduras that we will be participating in during Spring Break 2009. If not, a quick overview:

Each year, Saint Anselm College, located in Manchester, New Hampshire, through the office of Campus Ministry sends teams of students across the United States and into Central America to participate in a week of service and learning.

This year (2009), SBA will be sending over 200 students to sites, from Maine to Arizona, Honduras to Boston, South Dakota to Phily, and so many more...

Over the coming days, you might, hopefully, see posts from trip participants, as we muse over our weekly meetings, our fundraising efforts, and our team building activities (like spending a weekend raking, coming soon to a lawn near you!)

Welcome to SBA 2009: HONDURAS!