Amber Lewis
co-chair of The Big Event, 402.340.0394
UNK– More community service projects are needed for more than 400 student volunteers in the third annual Big Event on Saturday, April 4, at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
The Big Event, which is a day of service to the Kearney community provided by University of Nebraska at Kearney students, faculty and staff, is part of an annual event at more than 70 universities across the country. It is one of the largest student-run community service efforts in the nation. According to Lewis, student volunteers at UNK mainly come as groups from Greek organizations, residence halls and other student organizations.
“This spring, we have so many student volunteers, we just need more places to send them,” said Amber Lewis ofO’Neill, co-chair of the UNK Big Event.
The Big Event will provide a day of volunteer services to nonprofit organizations, individuals who are physically unable to complete a project or those unable to pay to render such services. To have work done, individuals or groups need to contact Lewis at 402.340.0394 before Saturday, April 4.
For more information about The Big Event at UNK, or to support the organization or request assistance, individuals can also e-mail the executive team at unkbigevent@gmail.com.
According to Lewis, co-chair of The Big Event, the event is a way of thanking the Kearney community for the support it gives UNK. Other students who have helped put on the event are co-chair Morgan Kenney of Basehor, Kan., Tim Hruza of Ord, Mark Rauert of Grand Island and Cory Shield of Holdrege.
“It is important to show appreciation for a community that appreciates the university,” Lewis said. “At some point in our lives, we all receive help in some capacity, so it’s that circle of giving. One good deed leads to another, so UNK students are making sure that continues to happen.”
“Some volunteers will help at individual’s homes, some will clean up debris left behind after the tornados at the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department Training grounds and some will help at the Children’s Museum,” Lewis said.
The event will kick-off at 9:30 a.m. with a gathering at Foster Field. From there, volunteers will begin working in the community at a variety of locations by 10:30 a.m.
Sponsors for the event include: UNK Student Government, Papa John’s, Thunderhead Brewery, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Dominos, Valentino’s, Sax’s Pizza and Old Chicago.
