The BIG Event, the largest community service project at Ferris, was a success again this year.
The event began at 9 a.m. in the Ferris quad with over 1,200 students volunteering to clean up the Big Rapids community. The students took on projects such as painting, trimming hedges, raking, washing windows and cleaning, among other tasks.
Compared to last year’s number of 750 volunteers and 101 houses, the 2010 BIG Event set new records, said Claire Gould, Student Government president and BIG Event founder.
Gould said her goal was to get over 1,000 students to volunteer this year.
“I would say that’s a pretty good year,” said Gould of the successful turnout.
Several areas throughout the community were covered including the city of Big Rapids, the township of Big Rapids and a few houses on the outskirts of town.
Petra Coronado, liberal arts major, said she liked getting involved and helping out with the community. She also said she was glad she got to clean inside instead of outside where it was cold.
Coronado went to the Mecosta County Historical Society to help clean and sort newspapers.
“It was very interesting getting involved with the community,” said Coronado.
Saturday’s cooler weather did not affect the turnout of volunteers as many students were gathered in the quad on Saturday morning and in the early afternoon.
“People were signed up, they knew they had to be there,” said Gould. “If it rained, we would have had to cancel the whole event.”
Gould said it amazes her that so many students showed up to participate.
“I hope they continue to volunteer. I’m grateful to be a part of a campus that wants to give back to the city,” said Gould. n