By Barbara Moore, University & Community Relations Manager
For over four decades, thousands of Texas A&M students have come together each spring to express their sincere appreciation for the College Station community by doing yard work, washing windows, painting, and other chores for residents.
What began as a small way to say thanks became the country's largest, one-day student project serving residents, churches, and non-profits, regardless of socioeconomic status.
This year's Big Event is Saturday, March 22, and organizers recommend submitting your request soon since available slots fill up quickly. The deadline to submit a request is Feb. 7.
Big Event representatives will accept in-person service requests from 2-5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Lincoln Recreation Center and from 3-5 p.m. on Feb. 3 and Feb. 6 at College Station City Hall.
Typical services include raking leaves, weeding, planting flowers, trenching, mulching, trimming trees and hedges, cleaning gutters, painting (inside and outside), stripping paint, dusting, sweeping and mopping, window washing, and general spring cleaning. For liability reasons, the students cannot use power tools or ladders taller than six feet.
Last year, over 16,000 student volunteers came together to serve nearly 2,220 residents. The numbers are impressive, but the Big Event is much more than how many students participate or how many jobs are completed. What makes the Big Event unique is the warm and enthusiastic interaction of students and residents.
The process begins when a resident places a service request online and meets with staff assistants to determine what jobs can be done and what tools will be needed. On event day, volunteer groups spend a few hours completing the requested tasks at the resident's house.
For more information, contact The Big Event at 979-845-9815 or recruitment@bigeventtamu.net.
About the Blogger
University and Community Relations Manager Barbara Moore is in her 18th year with the City. She’s also served as an assistant to the city manager and neighborhood services coordinator. Barbara previously was the executive director of Family Outreach of Bryan/College Station and director of faith-based relations for the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. She graduated from Jackson State in 1992 and earned her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Washington in 1996.
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