By AUSTIN KOELLER
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – More than 700 students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney will give back to the Kearney community Saturday when they participate in the 10th annual The Big Event.
Tim Danube, associate director of the Nebraskan Student Union, said the event is a way for students to thank the community through community outreach.
Student volunteers will work at one of 43 sites across Kearney doing various types of work. Service projects include anything from painting a fence to doing yard work to cleaning.
“They could be helping nonprofit organizations move things to a different office if they are trying to relocate, help clean churches, do work for elderly people … that they can’t necessarily do themselves,” said senior Cacia Lyon of Giltner, Student Government secretary of community relations.
“We have some people who may be working on possibly helping build playgrounds for schools.”
Danube said he hopes the community will see how appreciative students are for the city of Kearney.
Lyon has participated in The Big Event every year since her freshman year.
“It’s really given me a sense of pride for Kearney, but it also made me realize how much Kearney has given to us,” she said. “I just really hope that students will have a sense of pride in wanting to give back to a community that has given so much to its college students.”
The Big Event kicks off at 9 a.m. at Foster Field. UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen, Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse, and Dean of Student Affairs Gilbert Hinga will welcome student volunteers. Students will begin work at their assigned sites at 9:30 a.m.
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