The Big Event; Getting Up Early & Getting Down To Work

Story By: Courtney Boyd

Students Cleaning Front Yard

The Big Event is a time during the year when almost every student at UM comes together and does some hard work for the community. The volunteer event is usually held between mid-March and late April. Clubs, Greek Organizations and Sports Teams all spilt up and go to their assigned area to do work.

Students don't always stay at their assigned area after their work is done. Many students find other groups in different parts of Montevallo and help them finish their work. Some tasks are more difficult than others and require more people.

SGA President, Hunter Huie, has participated in the Big Event for three years now. He says he really likes how the event brings a lot of different organizations together because you can make new friends and get valuable work done in the community.

Students Doing Yard Work

This year a woman on Barnett Street spoke up about her experience with the Big Event and all of the students she has met. " I love this event. Every year they do the hardest part of my yard work that i can't do." Johnny says. Students showed up at her home at 8a.m. ready to do their assigned task. 

Last year and the year before students cleaned out gardens and trimmed bushes; but the task this year was a little different than years past, students were given the job to cut down dead trees in Johnny's back yard. At first, one group showed up to do the work and realized more people were needed. Two more groups showed up and helped get the job done.

After all the work is done, students return to Farmer for a cookout with hamburgers, hotdogs, cookies, chips and water and lemonade; all free to Big Event participants. For more information on student life at Montevallo, click here. To follow UM student life on twitter and keep up with any new updates, click here.