Sales: 979.694.8844 | [email protected]
Leasing: 979-694-2747 | [email protected]
HOA: 979-703-1819 | [email protected]

What is The Big Event? 

man pointing at volunteer inscription

One of the most distinct characteristics of the Bryan-College Station area is its friendly people and strong sense of community. Whether it’s cheering for Texas A&M University athletes during a competition or warmly welcoming the new students, the community never fails to offer their support in any way they can.

As a way to give back to its helpful community, the students of Texas A&M University show their thanks through The Big Event. This student-run project focuses on providing service-oriented activities to residents within a 25-mile radius of the school. Held every spring, the one-day event is the largest in the nation, gathering thousands of volunteers each year.

The Big Event this year will take place on March 26, 2022.

Where it all started

In 1982, the students of Texas A&M University wanted to give back to the Bryan-College Station community for their continued support. Then-Student Government Association Vice President Joe Nussbaum, along with five other schoolmates, volunteered to tidy up the local cemetery. It soon became a yearly gathering, with more students joining each time. After its first run, the annual event slowly took off and inspired many universities throughout the nation (and across the world!) to hold their own “The Big Event.”

Due to its positive impact on the neighborhood and community, The Big Event earned the 2015 Higher Education Community Impact Award in the Governor’s Volunteer Awards.

Now in its 40th year, The Big Event is bigger than ever, with tens of thousands of volunteers and around 2,000 jobs for the volunteers to tackle.

How it works

Prior to The Big Event, residents of the Bryan-College Station area must submit a job request through a form on its website. Churches and nonprofits are also welcome to fill out the job request form. Volunteers may do a variety of tasks, from yard work to outdoor painting. These include:

  • Raking leaves
  • Washing windows
  • Trimming trees
  • Planting flowers
  • Outdoor cleaning or sweeping
  • Painting the indoors or outdoors of structures
  • General spring cleaning

In doing these tasks, the volunteers are not allowed to use power tools, climb anything higher than 6 feet, or drive any vehicles.

The Big Event usually starts with a kick-off ceremony in the morning and the volunteers heading out to their assigned jobs after. Volunteers spend around four hours working on their specific tasks. And since this is The Big Event’s 40th year, the day will end with a spectacular anniversary concert celebration.

See what the community has to say

From students to university professors, the members of the community only have good things to say about The Big Event. For Texas A&M Professor Dr. Jose Fernandez-Solis, The Big Event is a great way for students to show their appreciation to the community. He praises the annual event with this statement:

“First, I think that it lets the student know who the community is, where we are, and what we are about. That’s the only way that something as big as Texas A&M can make it down at the human level. It’s manifesting that reality of service to the community that is so precious at Texas A&M, and for me, it’s a great joy to host them, to take care of them, and show them our love and appreciation for what they do.”

Students and volunteers also echoed the same sentiments. Lauren Roblyer, a member of the event’s Public Relations Committee, has this to say.

“I chose to join TBE because I wanted to be involved in something that was bigger than A&M and the students, I wanted to be involved with the community and give back to the residents. TBE gives me the opportunity to get to know so many residents of BCS, as well as their families, and develop relationships.”⠀⠀⠀⠀

At the end of the day, the goal of The Big Event is to promote unity and to connect the different members of the Bryan-College Station community with each other. While getting more students to participate and complete the jobs are an objective, being able to express gratitude through service-oriented activities is the larger goal.

For more information about Texas A&M University’s The Big Event, check out the official website.

College Station’s strong sense of community is among the many reasons why the city is an amazing place to live in. Learn more about living in College Station, TX and what it has to offer with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caliber Realty. Get in touch today at 979.694.8844 or send an email to sales(at)bhhscaliber(dotted)com.

Giving back Brochure - Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caliber Realty
To see the
non-profits we
supports
with our time
and donations.
We are making a difference
in the Brazos Valley
Desktop view