This year, The BIG Event will support Capital Area Food Bank, New Generation Daycare, Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, Zilker Botanical Gardens, Prince of Peace, and residential sites surrounding St. Edward’s.

During The BIG Event, students, faculty and staff members will provide neighbor-friendly services such as pulling weeds, planting flowers, washing windows, cleaning gutters or mending fences.

“The BIG Event is so important to the university and the student body, as it is a reflection of our commitment to being good neighbors. People in the community look forward to The BIG Event each year, and truly appreciate our help,” says Krista Heiden, director of Service for Student Government Association and main coordinator for The BIG Event.

More than 200 volunteers are expected to attend this year. Also, Keep Austin Beautiful foundation will provide volunteers with gardening tools and other tools to coincide with their annual Clean Sweep initiative.

Service to others is part of the St. Edward’s University mission and an expression of the university’s Holy Cross heritage, which encourages students to understand themselves, clarify their personal values and recognize their responsibility to the world community.

Students who participate in this event can earn co-curricular transcript credit and/or service hours. Additionally, all service hours count toward the 125 Service Challenge, and should be recorded on their Service Challenge profile. This service project is not suitable for anyone under 18 years old.

The BIG Event is sponsored by the St. Edward’s University Student Government Association with support from Student Life. Also, a special thanks to Cabo Bob’s, H-E-B, Chick-fil-a and Krispy Kreme for providing their support to The BIG Event.

Students, faculty, and staff can register online. Log in with your St. Edward’s username and password, then click “The BIG Event 2010 Registration” News Article. Alumni can register by contacting Kristina Weaner in Parent and Alumni Programs at 512-416-5805.

For more information, e-mail or call 512-448-8424.