One big day, one big thanks

Everyone knows that giving back to the community is important. So what if your own school offered you the opportunity to do just that, all while making friends and having fun?

On Saturday August 26, the University of Toledo held its first ‘Fall Day of Service’, an new companion event to the Big Event that occurs annually in the spring.

“Big Event is an event that was started at the Texas A&M in 1982 and has since spread to universities across the country,” said Joseph Leech, director of the event.

Leech said that many colleges throughout the nation partake in the Big Event, following the motto: “One Big Day, One Big Thanks.” Volunteers perform a variety of tasks during the day of work. From cleaning up the community by doing yard work at residential areas to cleaning up the streets of Toledo, students and community members are working together to give back.

However, UT’s Office of Student Involvement decided they wanted to make it more than just one day.

“We are working to provide students with several opportunities throughout the year to give back around the city of Toledo all leading up to the Big Event taking place on March 25th, 2017,” Leech said.

This Fall Day of Service included several opportunities for students to give back to the Toledo community with services such as picking up trash and raking leaves.

Leech said that this not only gave students a chance to do something good for their community but to also make new friends.

“This Fall Day of Service is a new event for all students, with a focus especially on freshmen students who are new to campus and looking to meet other students and get involved,” Leech said.

Over 60 student organizations participated in last spring’s day of service and Leech said that the spring Big Event typically attracts between approximately 1,200 and 1,500 students each year.

However, the Fall Day of Service was not only about working for the community. Students were also given the chance to show their school spirit in a side event called ‘Paint Your Pride’.

Participants painted UT Rocket logos and other Toledo related emblems around the university, encouraging more student spirit in the university. Rocket logos can be found on sidewalks and roads on campus in blue and gold.

The experience of volunteering is different for each student who participates, and Leech said that learning more about the work they accomplished during the day is one of his favorite parts.

“I’m looking forward to hearing stories of work done during the event from both students doing the work and community members who are being served,” Leech said. “It is amazing what impact a few hours of service has on both students and community members.”

Leech encourages to attend the Big Event in the spring and the coordinators of the event are hoping that this year’s turnout will be even bigger than of years’ previous.