Did you knowthere can be more to winter break than skiing, hot cocoa, and catching up with friends from home? You can learn a new hobby, help the homeless, or do another activity that will completely up your "I did good" quotient.

There are student-run organizations offering alternatives for your break. Most of which do not require the whole break, just a week or two of service for the needy and less fortunate. One such organization is Alternative Break, which has a trip planned to the Gulf Coast region near Jackson, Mississippi. From January 3 to January 8 they will help with the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Activities will depend on the circumstances and the situation in the area during the first week of January. (Note: Applications were accepted until October, but you can still offer your support.) Contact Nuveen Marwah for more information about Alternative Break, which is also organizing a service trip to San Diego and Tijuana for spring break.

Want to learn how to do that thing you haven't had time to learn during your crazy-busy semester? Well, here's your chance. Summit is an activity run by Carnegie Mellon that allows students to explore up to 10 topics they didn't have time to during the school year. On January 12, 13, and 14, right before the start of the spring semester, there are more than 40 classes being offered. These courses, such as knitting and handwriting analysis, are taught by faculty, staff, students, and select community members.

Registration for Summit ends tomorrow, November 30, so hurry and register. Summit is made possible by the support of Student Senate and the Office of Student Development. Summit provides three meals a day from various local restaurants (no campus food). Want to know more? Contact Summit via e-mail or AOL Instant Messenger at SUMMIT at CMU, or stop by the Student Development Office in Morewood Gardens. It costs $36 to participate, but you receive supplies and meals.

Can't participate in one of these programs? It's not hard to find a way to participate in a similar way in your hometown. Homeless shelters, foster homes, retirement homes, etc., all welcome volunteers, particularly in the cold winter months. If you'll be in Pittsburgh over the break, you can call Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank at 412-460-3663. Or check out their website.

So don't just vegetate over winter break: get a hobby, help the homeless.

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