The LU Big Event is set for March 23. The one-day event is open to students, faculty and alumni to volunteer to work for local nonprofit organizations.
Check in for the event is at 7 a.m. at the Neches Arena at the Montagne Center parking lot. A Chick Fil-A breakfast and Fuzzy’s Tacos will be available for volunteers, who will also receive T- shirts and lanyards before being assigned their groups.
Emily Robinson, staff advisor for the Big Event committee, said there are 13 nonprofit organizations participating, and volunteers will be dispersed among the organizations.
The nonprofits include American Red Cross, Beaumont Art League, Beaumont Community Players, Beaumont Heritage Society, Dream Center, Harvest House, Landmanor Inc. Franklin House South, Market to Hope, Port Arthur Little Theatre, Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Shorkey Center, United Board of Missions and YMCA of Southeast Texas.
Students were able to sign up individually or sign up with a campus organization. There are 35 organizations participating, with about 233 volunteers, Robinson said.
“The more the merrier,” Robinson said “We have more than enough work for the students so if it looks like a big number of people signed up, it can be even bigger. We definitely have the need, and we know that the help is needed.”
Since its introduction in 1982 at Texas A&M University, The Big Event has become the largest one day, student-run service project. Lamar University started its first Big Event in 2017.
This event is a great way to gain community service hours for classes and scholarships. The community around the university get impacted positively with this event.
“I know it’s giving back to the community but it’s also really fun and rewarding,” Robinson said.
‘My favorite part of the Big Event is seeing the nonprofits thank us and being able to see it make an impact.”
For more information follow The Big Event on Instagram at lu_bigevent, or email lubigevent@lamar.edu.