The Salisbury University Student Government Association’s annual Big Event community cleanup has returned for the fall semester following a fully in-person return for the university to send hundreds of students into the community to assist local homeowners.
Students from across campus will assist local residences in need of mulching, raking and general outdoor restoration within a five-mile radius of SU’s campus during the volunteer effort.
This year’s iteration of the event will begin at 9 a.m. Nov. 13, where volunteers will check-in on the campus’ Red Square to receive their community cleanup tasks and tools.
Students and organizations may register here. Registration will remain open until Wednesday.
Each participating registered student organization with at least five student volunteers will have $50 placed into the organization’s account, while students who volunteer as individuals will be entered into two raffles for $50 SU Bookstore gift cards.
The event is a recurring opportunity to strengthen the university’s relationship with its neighbors, uniting students from all majors and academic schools in the spirit of volunteerism, said Katie Stella-Breeding, the organization’s director of civic engagement and coordinator of the event.
“Big Event is a chance for SU to really give back to our local community,” Stella-Breeding said. “Volunteering is a great way to feel like they're more than just a student to this community.”
Breakfast will be provided by the SGA during check-in, and all necessary materials will also be provided at designated stations the day of the event. The first 300 volunteers who arrive at check-in will receive free Big Event-themed shirts, Stella-Breeding said.
Neighboring homeowner Debbie Meyers, who has hosted student volunteers at her residence in previous years, said her disability poses an obstacle to maintaining her yard, and she relies on the support of Big Event volunteers annually.
“It’s a wonderful thing that SU sends volunteers out into the community to help the people who really need it,” Meyers said. “I always really appreciate it, and it means a lot that the volunteers have been really helpful and accommodating in the past, so I’m looking forward to it again this year.”
Neighboring homeowners of the university who believe their residences may qualify as destinations for Big Event volunteers may apply here.
By JAKOB TODD
News editor
Featured image courtesy of Salisbury University Public Relations Office.