Bridging the gap

Over 400 volunteers gathered  Saturday for the 10th annual Big Event. There were 47 job sites around Chadron that were visited by volunteers. 

The Big Event was started by Shaunda French-Collins, communication associate professor and Big Event advisor. 

“Ten years is huge,” Kincaid Stain, 22, senior of Elk River, Minnesota said. “Dr. French – Collins has worked so hard getting The Big Event started, and for it to now be ten years and still going strong is a huge accomplishment. Another huge accomplishment of this ten-year anniversary was April being declared The Big Event month by Mayor Werner. The Big Event, hence, the name, is a huge event that is well known around town for connecting the community and the college, so to recognize this event and the work that goes into it is so exciting.”

Volunteer work included planting trees near Briggs Ponds, yard clean up, helping at Friends of Pets and writing letters to first responders and veterans. 

“I think it’s important for students to volunteer because our community is such a big support of all college activities, “ Katelyn Bach, 20, sophomore of Burns, Wyoming said. “The Big Event is a great opportunity for our college to give back to the community.”

Volunteers included faculty, staff, CSC and high school students and other members of the community that wanted to give back. 

“It was so exciting and heartwarming to see so many people who were wanting to go out and give back to our giving community,” Strain said. “This number really reflects on our college and community dynamic, and how much we appreciate the support coming from both ends.”