Holly Frye, director of student community services and service learning at Shepherd University, will take students to High Point, N.C. later this month for an “alternative spring break” trip in which the group will build homes for the local Habitat for Humanity.

The catch? Students must raise the funding for the trip.

That’s why the group will host a pancake breakfast Saturday, March 5 at the Shepherdstown Men’s Club to help reach its goal of $5,000 to go on this trip.

“They just choose to give up their spring break to volunteer for a week,” Frye said.

Besides wanting to work more closely with Shepherd students, it was this type of selflessness on the students’ parts that made SMC President Mike Austin want to open his organization’s venue to the group for the fundraiser.

“It’s kids taking the time to do something for other people,” Austin said about their spring break trip. “I just thought it ought to be something we should be supporting.”

Frye, who has taken students on various volunteer alternative spring break trips, said each year the students raise the money to fund their way.

“I have found that that makes it more worthwhile,” she said.

The pancake breakfast will take place from 8 until 11 a.m. And will feature pancakes with various toppings and coffee and juice.

Austin believes though there are many nonprofits around the local community, people will come out and support this cause.

“I think we all have a special place in our hearts for young people,” he said. “This is a very supportive community.”

Anyone who would like to send any donations before the students leave on March 13 can send them to:

Attention: Holly Frye, Shepherd University, P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

“These students are like the best of the best in terms of contributing back to their community,” Frye said. “They give and they give and they give.”