About 400 college and university students, student leaders and campus pastors are participating in a special alternative spring break called "What a Relief!" The program, which begins this month, is sponsored by Lutheran Disaster Response and the Lutheran Student Movement-USA.

LDR is a collaborative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. The student movement brings together Lutheran college and university students to promote cooperation among campus ministries.

"Alternative spring break is such a unique opportunity because it gives college students, who oftentimes get a bad rap for just wanting to go and lie on the beach and party for a week, an opportunity to give back," said Michael Nevergall, assistant director, ELCA Domestic Disaster Response.

Participants will travel to Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Texas and other areas to help rebuild communities devastated by natural disasters.

Volunteers who work in disasteraffected areas make a huge impact among people who need help rebuilding their homes and communities, Nevergall said.

"For people to know that people still think about them, care for them, and want to come and help them can really be lifechanging," he said. "It gives them a sense of hope that they've otherwise lost."

Students from 24 college and universities are participating, Nevergall said.

What a Relief! started in spring 2006 with recovery work along the U.S. Gulf Coast following the 2005 hurricane season. It has grown to include disaster response work in other parts of the country ravaged by tornadoes and other storms.

This story is provided by Worldwide Faith News.