Brandi McHarness
308.999.9013, or mcharnessbl@lopers.unk.edu
The seventh annual Big Event hosted by the University of the Nebraska at Kearney is one of the largest in UNK history with 815 volunteers and 44 job sites scheduled for Saturday, March 31.
The kickoff for the Big Event will begin at 9 a.m. at Cope Stadium on the campus. Student Body President Jordan Gonzales of Morrill will open the event. UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen and Kearney Mayor Stanley Clouse will then address the group. Announcements and closing remarks will be made by Bradley Rediger of Milford. Rediger is the chair of the Big Event. The volunteers will then be released to arrive at the job sites by 9:30 a.m.
Among the job sites are the Children’s Museum, Kearney Rotary on the Bricks, Salvation Army, St. James Catholic Church, Great Platte River Road Archway, First Lutheran Church and a number of individual homes in the Kearney Community.
At noon, lunch will be provided for the volunteers at Harmon Park. Luncheon sponsors will include Chartwells, Little Caesar’s, Domino’s Pizza, Papa John’s, Valentino’s and Old Chicago. Other event sponsors include Menard’s and Moonlight custom screen-print and embroidery.
Other participants for the Big Event include zone leaders, who will assist volunteers to their job sites and oversee to make sure there are no safety issues. UNK students who are among the key zone leaders are listed below, alphabetically, by hometown.
Grand Island- Zach Shultz
Grand Island- Sam Schneider
Hastings- Whitney Nelson
Kearney- McKenzie Wiese
Valley- Katie Sladek
Wayne- Andi Diediker
Wood River- Abbie Davis
Iowa
Red Oak- Cam Deter
