500+ Volunteers Focus 'The Big Event' on Three Beautification Areas
Over 500 Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) students, faculty, staff and alumni rolled up their sleeves for a day of service to their community as part of the annual commemoration of “The Big Event” on Saturday, March 22.
Together, volunteers made a significant impact in their local community, with an estimated monetary impact of $523,110 and generating 16,450 hours of community service.
Joining TAMIU for the event for the first time were Laredo College (LC) students, creating a colorful tapestry of long-sleeved protective T-shirts in TAMIU maroon and silver and LC green and gold.
Volunteers committed to projects at the Haynes Recreation Center, Arturo Benavides Park, and Slaughter Park.
Beautification projects included tree planting, mural painting, trash pick-up, seed ball planting, tending to a monarch butterfly garden, brush removal, and much more.
TAMIU volunteers checked in at the University’s Student Center before being bussed to their respective volunteer areas. Transportation to and from the event was provided. A total of 40 community service hours and lunch were provided. Volunteers are asked to wear long-sleeved shirts, jeans and closed-toe shoes.
The event was made possible through the University Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement, in collaboration with TAMIU's Student Government Association (SGA) Leaders Organizing Volunteer Events (L.O.V.E.) Committee, the City of Laredo, Keep Laredo Beautiful, TAMIU Housing and Residence Life, the Rio Grande International Study Center, ARCA Continental Southwest Beverages, and Laredo College.
Since its launch at TAMIU in 2009, The Big Event has posted some record-breaking feats, with 3,234 volunteers generating a $1.6+M monetary impact to the community through a combined 65,729 community service hours. The impact of the March 22 offering is being tabulated and will add to the legacy of giving and service.
Organizers took their inspiration from Texas A&M University in College Station, the founding home of The Big Event. TAMIU’s annual event unites volunteers each spring through a service endeavor that has included projects anchored by litter clean-up, painting, tree-planting, yard maintenance, among other service-themed activities.
Past The Big Event volunteer opportunities have taken place at North Central Park, Las Palmas Nature Trail, Los Tres Laredos Park, the Santo Niño Neighborhood, the Laredo Housing Authority, the South Texas Food Bank, Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center, Slaughter Park, and more. For a look back at past events, visit https://go.tamiu.edu/serve.
For more information, contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement at 956.326.2265, email scce@tamiu.edu, or visit offices in the Student Center, room 226.
More on TAMIU's story is also available on the University's website, tamiu.edu and its social media sites on Facebook and Twitter.
