March 25, 2019
'The Big Event: A Saluki Day of Service' is Saturday
Nearly 700 students, faculty and staff with be donating their time and energy on Saturday to 18 service projects throughout the community during the third annual “The Big Event: A Saluki Day of Service.”
The event is SIU’s way of showing appreciation for the region’s support of the university and its people. As the campus rallies for a day of community service, it inspires and encourages year-round community involvement.
Students plan the day
Modeled after the day founded in 1982 at Texas A&M University, SIU’s Big Event is planned by and focuses on students. Student volunteers will begin arriving at the John W. Corker Lounge in the Student Center at 7 a.m. that day. Chancellor John M. Dunn will talk with volunteers at 8:15 a.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms.
Then, they’ll be off to help across the region. The Texas event now draws more than 10,000 participants annually and is replicated at more than 100 campuses across the United States, including SIU, as well as at universities in Australia, Germany, Italy, Pakistan and Spain. Volunteer efforts in two shifts
SIU’s day of service is comprised of two work shifts: 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. Students can work either or both. All events will take place rain or shine. Lightning or severe weather may cause students to be returned to campus from some locations.
Several organizations have service projects that will go throughout the day while others are morning or afternoon-only events.