Among the projects include yard work at residential homes to help members of the Conway community. Photo by Seth Foley.
In total, over 300 volunteers from the University of Central Arkansas, including students, faculty and staff, took part in this year’s Big Event at the University. The Big Event is a student-led organization that provides volunteer services to complete projects submitted by the Conway community.
By involving university students, faculty and staff in acts of service, the Big Event seeks to strengthen the bond between UCA and the community.
This year’s Big Event was held on March 11, 2023, when cold conditions and heavy rainfall accompanied the event. The day was a great success despite the unpleasant weather conditions, with 41 projects being completed by volunteers.
As a result of the volunteers’ efforts, several local nonprofit organizations have benefitted, including reorganizing a storage unit for childcare nonprofits, Conway Cradle Care and Milestone Services; as well as painting and landscaping the Children’s Advocacy Center as well as the Rise House shelter for domestic violence. However, the majority of the projects were completed by volunteers who had been requested by local residents. Volunteers raked leaves, spread mulch, painted, cleaned, and organized as part of their work.
Altogether, members of the UCA community completed 41 projects throughout Conway and included over 300 volunteers. Photo by Madison Ogle.
As the director of service-learning at UCA, Lesley Graybeal states, “We receive consistent positive feedback from our community partners on the day of the Big Event.”
One example of the positive feedback the volunteers received was from Sheila Jeffries, a local farmer in the community. “Saturday went great! Despite being rainy and cold, the group that came out got so much done. They were able to accomplish in a few hours what it would have taken us the better part of a week to do. They were a blessing!”
In total, over 300 volunteers from the University of Central Arkansas, including students, faculty and staff, took part in this year’s Big Event at the University. The Big Event is a student-led organization that provides volunteer services to complete projects submitted by the Conway community.
By involving university students, faculty and staff in acts of service, the Big Event seeks to strengthen the bond between UCA and the community.
This year’s Big Event was held on March 11, 2023, when cold conditions and heavy rainfall accompanied the event. The day was a great success despite the unpleasant weather conditions, with 41 projects being completed by volunteers.
As a result of the volunteers’ efforts, several local nonprofit organizations have benefitted, including reorganizing a storage unit for childcare nonprofits, Conway Cradle Care and Milestone Services; as well as painting and landscaping the Children’s Advocacy Center as well as the Rise House shelter for domestic violence. However, the majority of the projects were completed by volunteers who had been requested by local residents. Volunteers raked leaves, spread mulch, painted, cleaned, and organized as part of their work.
As the director of service-learning at UCA, Lesley Graybeal states, “We receive consistent positive feedback from our community partners on the day of the Big Event.”
One example of the positive feedback the volunteers received was from Sheila Jeffries, a local farmer in the community. “Saturday went great! Despite being rainy and cold, the group that came out got so much done. They were able to accomplish in a few hours what it would have taken us the better part of a week to do. They were a blessing!”
By Haley Helton
