Students from Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) will participate in 16 service projects as a part of the college’s annual Big Event on Saturday.

According to Director of Student Affairs Operations and Civic Engagement Sandy Cooke, “we will be finishing our High Bridge Trail project in Prospect, removing tires from an illegal dump along the trail, assisting seniors with yard work that are associated with Piedmont Senior Resources, cleaning our seven adopted highways, cleaning a cemetery at Sulphur Spring Baptist Church and assisting with projects at Guinea Church and College Church.”

The Woodland has planting and general cleanup projects for the students, she said.

Information from the college said the Big Event at H-SC was first introduced in 2011 and currently has about 200 volunteers who participate in the service projects.

This number has grown from 110 students when the program was first introduced.

Previous projects facilitated by volunteers from the college include distributing food at the FACES food pantry, spreading mulch at the Moton Museum and cleaning Chalgrove Lake, according to the college’s website.

“We are all looking forward to getting out into the community to show our support and work on projects that will have a lasting impact on our community and our students,” Cooke said. 

The first Big Event began at Texas A&M in 1982, and has spread to a number of college campuses across the country, the website stated, including Longwood University, which held its Big Event on Saturday.

“The Big Event is a great time to get together with a bunch of friends and do something that really benefits our community,” said student Tanner Beck, ‘18.

Cooke said one of the main goals she has in her position at the college is enlightening students on the small amount of effort required to assist with community projects and how that effort can go a long way.

“The quote that has impacted my life is, ‘We don’t inherit the earth from our parents: we borrow it from our children,’” said Henry O’Neal, ‘18, volunteer.

The Big Event is currently one of the largest student service projects across the nation, according to the website.

“Giving your time is not only rewarding, but it is deeply appreciated by the seniors, churches and general public,” said Cooke.