By TENA L. COOK, CSC MARKETING COORDINATOR
CHADRON – Fifty-two job sites were served by Chadron State College students and employee volunteers during the 11th annual The Big Event (TBE) Saturday.
TBE Graduate Assistant Kinsey Smith said the event was a success.
“We had so many people show up to job sites in our community. We had such a great time getting to group people up with others they normally wouldn't be with. So, I think a lot of friendships and relationships with the community were created.”
Lorna Eliason, director of Chadron Public Schools After-School Program, said TBE volunteers have served at the Chadron Intermediate School gardens for a number of years.
“This helps prep the gardens for our students to plant, learn more about science, and how to grow their own fruits and vegetables. The CSC volunteers are a huge help. Our third and fourth graders couldn't do all the work that these young adults do,” Eliason said. “Plus, many of these CSC students are going to be educators, so I think it gives them an idea of how they could use a learning, living classroom. You can do tree and plant identification, and you can learn about healthy eating. Older students still ask me about the school garden.”
CSC men’s basketball coaching assistant Eric Stamps worked with student-athletes at the Dawes County Historical Society Museum.
“The guys were able to see the old schoolhouse and the farm equipment from long time ago. It helps their diversity and their growth as young men. It’s an opportunity to expand their knowledge. They can see the changes from when there was a small desk to now where you have computers and technology. It's an awesome experience, especially for me as a former teacher,” Stamps said.
Curator of the museum Phyllis Carlson said TBE volunteers have helped for about six years. She enjoys asking the students from out-of-state what they think of Nebraska.
“We enjoy their work, and it does help because we have so much that needs to be dusted. It would take a good week or more for a couple of us to do it,” Carlson said. “I hope they keep the program going for a long time. It’s wonderful and we praise CSC.”
Community resident Brenda Bump said she appreciates the work the students accomplish.
“They are efficient. Last year was interesting because I ended up with the whole football team. When you're getting older you just can't do it all. This is a great way to meet the students, learn where they're from, what they're studying, and why they're here,” Bump said.
TBE volunteers moved furniture stored in a basement for community residents George and Emily Klein.
“We were so fortunate to have The Big Event accept us as a job site. Four wrestlers went down there, carried all those things up, and loaded them on a city truck. They were done in 15 or 20 minutes. That would have been a day-long job for George and me and then we'd have been hurting for a few more days. It was wonderful. We are so appreciative.”