By TENA L. COOK,
CSC MARKETING COORDINATOR
CHADRON – More than 450 volunteers signed in and served at 60 jobsites Saturday during Chadron State College’s eleventh annual The Big Event (TBE). The range of volunteers this year expanded beyond CSC students and employees. TBE Graduate Assistant Kinsey Smith said 30 Upward Bound high students participated with their leaders picking up litter at the green space east of Walmart and cleaning up debris in Art Alley between Main Street and Chadron Avenue.
CSC President Ron K. Patterson, his wife, Jenny, and their son, Braylon, helped trim branches at the courthouse with several members of the International Club. Nebraska State College System Chancellor Paul Turman and his wife, Shelly, worked with student-athletes from the men’s and women’s wrestling teams and track and field student-athletes doing maintenance at Camp Norwesca near Chadron State Park.
Other jobsites included planting trees at Briggs Pond, cleaning at the Eagle Theatre, and picking up trash and raking yard debris at various businesses, private residences, and non-profit organizations.
The CSC Education Club returned to the Chadron Intermediate School to prepare 24 garden boxes for planting. The boxes were established in 2018 by The Big Event volunteers, Keep Chadron Beautiful, and the Chadron Public Schools After School program, according to Lorna Eliason, director of the after-school program.
TBE volunteers have been helping maintain the garden boxes and get them ready for planting every year except 2020 due to the pandemic and a couple of other years due snowstorms, Eliason said.
“Our student horticulture club members have started plants in the school and they will transplant their plants into this living, learning laboratory. Then they will harvest and eat healthy foods in the fall when they return to school. We appreciate all the volunteers from the CSC Education Club,” Eliason said.
One of the most elderly supporters of TBE is also outspoken about her appreciation. Maxine Warren, age 103, said she always looks forward to seeing The Big Event students.
Students raked her yard and collected and disposed of leaves and other debris.
Dr. Shaunda French-Collins said Warren’s home has been a TBE jobsite for 11 years.
“I love the college. They always do such a good job in my yard. Gosh, yes. I hate it when college is out and they leave in the summer because I love their excitement,” Warren said. “I just heard from one of the college girls who used to take me shopping years ago. She saw a card she thought was pretty, so she just sent it to me.”
Not all volunteers were currently on campus. December 2023 graduate Faria Viraj flew back from Salt Lake City to volunteer.
“I think the big event is not just about giving, but it is also about gaining. Gaining the pride of having fulfilled a part of one’s civic responsibility. It instills the idea that everyone has a duty to contribute positively to society while reinforcing the importance of active citizenship. It’s about gaining lasting memories and friendships. These memories can shape students’ outlook on life and nourish the trajectory of their lives,” Viraj said.
Another recent CSC graduate, Minh Le, who is completing a graduate Social Work internship at Crest View Care Center was pleased with the event.
“We appreciate the cheer team coming here. It made the residents happy,” Le said.
Sherl Bosch, Activity Director at Crest View, said she was thankful for the CSC Spirit Team performing cheers and dancing for the residents. The students also helped the residents paint their fingernails and make bead bracelets.
“Getting the residents outside for a fun activity on a warm sunny day was greatly appreciated,” Bosch said.