STANDISH — For 20 years groups of Saint Joseph’s College students have dedicated their spring break to week-long service projects. This year more than 40 students participated in service trips to:

Flat Gap, Ky., to participate in the Christian Appalachian Project, which focuses on building and renovating houses;

Westchester County, N.Y., to help build safe, decent and affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity;

Bellow Falls, Vt., area, to assist youth and families struggling with homelessness, substance abuse, poverty or legal troubles;

Sarnelli House in Philadelphia, to minister to the needs of persons of the streets in one of the nation’s poorest neighborhoods;

New Orleans, La., where many residents, especially the elderly and those in poverty, are still experiencing the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina. Students will help the elderly, mentally and physically challenged, as well get involved with home repair and renovation.

Cody Grasruck of Rumford, a sophomore nursing student, volunteered in Kentucky.

Samantha Menzel of Oxford, a senior history/English and secondary education student, volunteered in New York.

Brittany Fleming of Norway, a senior multimedia communications student, volunteered in New York.

Abigale Pelletier of Lewiston, a junior nursing student, volunteered in Pennsylvania.

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