The Student Government Association at Auburn University has more volunteers than ever to help with Saturday’s Big Event, but not enough work for them to do.
It’s a problem Project Coordinator Adam Carlisle is trying to correct before the weekend. The Auburn junior is in a last-minute search for at least 20 more sites. If he can’t fill the need, he’s going to have do the unthinkable and turn away volunteers.
The Big Event is a one-day event for Auburn students to give back to the Auburn and Opelika communities. It has been an Auburn tradition since 2003, but it is a nationwide college movement that involves more than 50 major universities and about 400,000 volunteers around the nation.
“We have the volunteers,” Carlisle said. “It’s just a matter of giving them something meaningful to do.”
Last year’s Big Event drew more than 800 volunteers so organizers aimed to attract 1,000 students to go with about 50 work sites, but at the end of sign-up Friday, they had more than 1,200 student volunteers.
“As long as there is a need, we’d be glad to address it,” Carlisle said.
Work can include anything for non-skilled laborers, such as indoor-outdoor restoration, cleaning or painting. Crews will work 4 to 5 hours Saturday morning. Locations set for Saturday, so far, include the Boys & Girls Club, local schools and several assisted living facilities.
Since Carlisle first volunteered for the Big Event as a freshman, he said it has grown in popularity with different student groups on campus. Those in the Greek system may get spirit points for participating, but that’s not what drives them or the vast majority of students, he said.
“It’s a wonderful way to give back,” he said. “You make a visual contribution to the community that you feel proud of.”
Organizations or individuals with such a need are encouraged to contact Carlisle via e-mail at carlima@auburn.edu.
aweaver@oanow.com | 737-2534
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