On April 12, Ferris students rolled up their sleeves and gave back to the Big Rapids community during this year’s Big Event, the largest community service project led by Ferris’ Student Government Association.
Whether working alongside friends or new faces, volunteers took on small tasks like yard work, window washing and gardening.
After a one-year hiatus, the return of the Big Event was meaningful for both organizers and community members. The event was unable to take place last year due to planning and scheduling challenges within SGA.
Computer information systems senior and SGA President Stephen Bender explained that an unexpected shift in leadership made it difficult to coordinate such a large-scale event.
“Last year there was no time to plan it, it would’ve been a logistical nightmare scrambling around,” Bender said.
Unlike most SGA presidents who begin their term in the fall, Bender stepped into the role last spring, significantly shortening the preparation window.
However, this year, the planning process ran more smoothly. With no major issues securing supplies and organizing the event logistics, the only hiccup came on the day of the event: only about half of the registered volunteers showed up.
With 100-yard assignments and 220 missing volunteers, Bender acknowledged that the lower student turnout posed a significant challenge but said the team was able to adjust and make sure the residents still received the assistance they were expecting.
One student who stepped up in the face of the volunteer shortage was pharmacy freshman Wyatt Pugh. Though Pugh wasn’t expecting to participate in the Big Event, a few texts from friends were all it took to get him moving. He quickly ran over from his dorm and joined a group to help tackle several houses in the area.
“Even though I wasn’t planning on it, it was nice to get outside on a nice day and feel involved with the Ferris and Big Rapids community,” Pugh said.
Hospitality management freshman and SGA Parliamentarian Barbra Melven was assigned to help with check-in duties, managing the car line and distributing volunteer waivers.
But as it became clear that fewer participants had shown up than expected, Melven stepped up. She teamed up with another volunteer who also hadn’t anticipated doing hands-on service. Together, they completed projects at two houses.
“I was happy to be a part of the initiative we’ve worked so hard on hosting,” Melven said. “I didn’t mind getting my hands dirty.”
Despite the lower-than-expected turnout, the Big Event ran smoothly as Ferris students stepped up to ensure the work got done.
Many of the Big Rapids residents who sign up for assistance are elderly and may not have the ability, support or financial resources to take care of outdoor tasks like yard work or window cleaning on their own.
For these residents, the help provided through the Big Event offers not only practical support but a sense of connection and care from the Ferris community.
Maintaining clean, welcoming outdoor spaces doesn’t just benefit individual households; it contributes to the overall look and feel of the community.
A well-kept environment can boost morale for residents and students, reinforcing a shared sense of pride in Big Rapids as a place to live, work and study.
Among the registered volunteers was business management senior Bailey Bennett, who participated as part of a class requirement to complete a team-building activity.
After hearing about the Big Event through a friend in Greek life, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to fulfill the assignment while giving back.
“I thought this would be ideal because I’m not just doing something for myself.” Bennett said.
Looking ahead, Bender expressed confidence in the future of the Big Event under the next SGA president Jake McGaha.
“He’s willing to put a lot on his plate,” Bender said. “Jake wants to see big things happen in student government and at Ferris, he plans to continue the Big Event and definitely has the drive you need.”
The Big Event allowed communication between Ferris and the Big Rapids community.