TAMIU STUDENTS DUSTDEVILS’ THE BIG EVENT BIG ON TRADITION, SERVICE Ask any Dustdevil if they can tell you about The Big Event and odds are you’ll get an answer including the year(s) they participated and where their services were delivered... with a smile. The Big Event, an annual day of service in March, is part of all Dustdevils most cherished traditions. In a 15-year timespan it has posted record-breaking feats: over 3,234 volunteers have generated a $1.6 million monetary impact on the community with 65,729 community service hours. Coordinated by TAMIU’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement, this year’s Big Event attracted 500+ TAMIU students, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteers. Participants focused on the Canta Ranas neighborhood in West Laredo, participating in a neighborhood empowerment project including park beautification, mural painting, and residential beautification. A second opportunity saw volunteers installing fire alarms in homes in the Los Obispos neighborhood in South Laredo and the Canta Ranas neighborhood. The Big Event 2024’s estimated monetary impact was $649,356 and TAMIU volunteers generated 20,420 hours of community service. Emily García, collaborator and SGA L.O.V.E. Committee chair summed up what the Big Event means. "The Big Event is a unique service event that tangibly solidifies our commitment to the local community we serve. While the Canta Ranas neighborhood has sometimes been referred to as Los Olvidados, we wanted to ensure no residents are forgotten. That's why we teamed up with community leaders to truly make an impact that will be felt for years to come," she noted. TAMIU students at the Big Event 21
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