On April 18, more than 100 Ferris Students spread out across Big Rapids, helping clean yards for those around the community who needed a little extra assistance.
The Big Event is an annual student-led community service initiative organized by the Ferris Student Government Association. Volunteers from various groups came together to assist residents of Big Rapids with their spring lawn cleanup.
55 houses in the community received these cleanup efforts, which ranged from tasks such as raking and general yard cleanup to washing windows.
Director of Philanthropy for the Student Government Association, Ellie Holka, highlighted the wide range of volunteers involved in the event.
“The groups involved this year are the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, Real Life, Delta Zeta, Pre-Dental Association, Kappa Psi, Dawg Pound, You Beautiful Black Women, Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society, Sigma Lambda Gamma, Outdoor Club and AWS.” Holka Said.
Honors groups and RSOs weren’t the only ones helping out, as there were a number of SGA and individual volunteers.
These volunteers worked together throughout the day to complete projects for residents who might not otherwise have been able to do so. For many homeowners, this little bit of help goes a long way, especially when preparing their yard for the spring and summer seasons.
This event was an opportunity for many Ferris students to give back to the community they temporarily call home.
President of APO at Ferris State, Branden Tippy, explained his organization’s role in the event and why student involvement is so important in events like this.
“I think students should get more involved in events like this,” Tippy said. “Sometimes people want to help each other out, but it’s hard to know where to start. Organized events like this make it easy to do something nice for others.”
Events like this are integral in growing the bond between the Big Rapids community and the students of Ferris.
“It’s a nice opportunity for RSOs to come together and do something nice for Big Rapids,” Tippy said.
For many participants, The Big Event is more than just a few hours of hard work, and it’s a chance for students to get to know and to help out the people who make up the Big Rapids community.
By working on homes in the community, students can see firsthand the impact they have made by volunteering.
One volunteer, Outdoor Club President and engineering technology sophomore Shane Walton, shared his insight on why he thinks volunteering is important for students.
“Everyone has a responsibility to help those around them and their local community,” Walton said. “I think that if a student has the time and is able to help, they definitely should.”
The variety of groups’ involvement was crucial to the event’s success. Without the volunteers from many different groups and backgrounds, the event wouldn’t have been able to help so many in need homeowners from around the community.
Students not only completed regular yard tasks but also made connections and bonds with local residents.
Another volunteer APO member and criminal justice senior, Savanna Jones, talked about her interactions with local community members during The Big Event.
“It made me feel like the community has some really nice and friendly people,” Jones said. “We cleaned four houses and everyone at each house was super nice and friendly, some even provided us with water or snacks, and one house even helped us as we cleaned, while making pleasant conversation as we did so.”
This event helped bridge the gap between students and residents.
“We were even able to learn some information about some of the residents who live at the houses we visited, about some of their lives and experiences,” Jones said.
As The Big Event continues each year, its goal remains the same by bringing students and the Big Rapids community together through service.
Holka explains the SGA’s future plans for The Big Event.
“Our goal is to continue growing this event each year. Student Government has brought this event back not too long ago, and we want to expand our numbers and be as successful as we can with each year we continue on with the event,” Holka said. “As well as reaching more residents who could benefit from assistance. This event really depends on the students here at Ferris.”
The Big Event was more than just a chance for students to get out and help the community, as it offered a chance to display the connection and the lasting impact of a community coming together.