This Saturday, hundreds of Salukis will fan across Southern Illinois to participate in community service projects. The Big Event started last year as a way for the SIU students, faculty and staff to further our mission of making our community a better place.
Community service is at the heart of SIU’s mission
SIU is already a major economic driver for the region, providing jobs and attracting people from around the country to study, live and visit.
Our students also contribute more than 30,000 hours of community service every year through registered student organizations, coordinated drives and individual volunteerism. That’s in addition to the time our faculty and staff contribute on their own time.
The Big Event is a way to celebrate and expand that commitment to our community.
Making the Big Event even bigger
During last year’s Big Event, 772 Salukis served 2,316 hours for 15 local non-profit agencies. They helped agencies such as The Boys and Girls Club, Keep Carbondale Beautiful and the Jackson County Humane Society.
For many participants, this was their first exposure to volunteerism, and many also continued their service long after the day ended.
This year, our goal is to recruit even more volunteers to serve at least 16 nonprofits. Even one additional volunteer can go a long way.
Step up and help out
You can still join the excitement. They will be taking walk-in registrations the day of the event. Volunteers will be taken on a first come-first served basis.
Any student, faculty or staff member who is at least 18 years old is welcome.
Join me on April 7 to make BIG things happen.