by Christi Mathis
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Big Event: A Saluki Day of Service, Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s largest one-day service event, will occur at locations across the region on Friday, March 22.
Each year, hundreds of students donate their time and energy to benefit local facilities and organizations.
In 2024, Salukis will assist with seven community service projects at locations throughout the Jackson County area. The Big Event is SIU’s way of showing gratitude to the region for its support of the university and its people, and campus officials hope it inspires students to get involved in community service year-round.
Students plan and organize
SIU’s Big Event, which is modeled after the event founded in 1982 at Texas A&M University, is planned and organized by students and focuses on their efforts. They volunteer their time, working from 9 a.m. to noon or 1-4 p.m. or even both shifts on Saturday in support of area nonprofit organizations. At each location, a student site leader will arrive about a half-hour before the start of the service work project. Meredith Hunt, a senior chemistry major, is the executive director for the day.
Members of the media are welcome to speak with student site leaders; other student volunteers may be available for interviews and photos or video as well. Many of the service projects take place outdoors, and all projects will proceed rain or shine. This is the seventh year SIU has sponsored The Big Event.
The timetable
The schedule for the 2024 Big Event includes:
Morning-only events
- For Kids’ Sake, 100 E. Jackson St., Carbondale. Workers will assist with clearing out and organizing storage facilities.
- Rainbow Café, 1320 S. Giant City Road, Suite F, Carbondale. Volunteers will move furniture, assist with packing and other projects.
- Green Earth Inc., Attucks Park, 800 N. Wall St., Carbondale. The organization owns and maintains six natural areas comprising 220 acres and 9 miles of hiking trails. Volunteers will upgrade the Pyles Ford Trail to disability-friendly standards by adding gravel to trail sections or building boardwalks.
- Francis CARE Shelter: 6228 Country Club Road, Murphysboro. Students will do yard work and walk or interact with dogs.
All-day locations
- A Gift of Love Charity Inc., 801 E. Walnut St., Carbondale. Salukis will prepare diaper donations for distribution, collect trash around the building exterior, help unload and pack the moving truck and assist with cleaning and touching up paint on the building exterior.
- Touch of Nature Environmental Center, 1206 Touch of Nature Road, Makanda, about 8 miles south of Carbondale off Giant City Road. Volunteers will assist with forest and grounds cleanup.
- Carbondale Warming Center, 608 E. College St., Carbondale. Salukis will assist with a variety of projects as needed by the center at the time, including sorting, setting up meals and more.
For more information
If you have questions about The Big Event, visit thebigevent.siu.edu