News

MU Helps Local Community with Big Event

The University’s single largest annual community service project, The Big Event, was held on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Over 400 University student and faculty members participated in the event, from 10 am to 4 pm. Each student was assigned volunteer work at one of 28 local work sites. The event was run by the Student Government Association (SGA) and was in the planning process for several months to ensure details and criteria were met.

According to Alexandra Tuyahov, SGA Vice President and Big Event Chair, some of the activities at work sites included painting, yard work, rebuilding homes from Superstorm Sandy, serving at a soup kitchen, and making blankets for the First Year Service Project.

All of the work sites were in local areas. Locations included the Long Branch Covenant Church, Meal at Noon, Deal Lake, Reformation Lutheran Church, Stop and Shop, St. James Church, Jersey Shore Dream Center, Long Branch Free Public Library, Stella Maris Retreat Center, Camp Oakhurst, and The Monmouth University Community Garden.

Meaghan Wheeler, freshman SGA member, participated as a site captain for the day. “We stayed in the Student Center all day. We started in Anacon Hall and rearranged all of the chairs and tables,” said Wheeler. Although her group wasn’t sent to any of the local work sites, she still felt like the event was worthwhile and for a great cause.

Wheeler explained that the group was responsible for organizing the stage closets and supply closet of the Student Center.

Vaughn Clay, Director of Off-Campus and Commutity Services said, “It’s really like one big puzzle. One aspect of the placement process centers around the number of volunteers a worksite will need, in relation to the size of a group that is available. In other cases, worksites may request specific groups if they haven’t already been assigned to another site.”

Clay also said SGA tries their best to accommodate all requests.

“In the end, the Big Event chairperson spends countless hours mixing and matching the volunteers based on changes that are coming in right up to the last minute,” said Clay.

Turahov said of the 400 participants, the majority were students and key supporters from the campus community. “Greek life and student clubs are the main supporters of the event. Almost every greek life organization was there and clubs like the Psychology Club, The Community Service Club, Circle K, The Dance Team, and The Cheer Team were in attendance,” said Tuyahov.

Out of the 14 years that the Big Event has been on campus, administrators, professors and students at the University continue to agree that it is an event that creates a positive impact.

Mary Anne Nagy, Vice President of Student and Community Services said, “Students seem to really enjoy getting out into the community and giving back. [The Big Event] is really the true reflection of the Monmouth University student, caring, committed and willing to help.”

Turahov adds that the event allows students to see the value of community service and how any type of aid can be helpful to a local community, especially after Superstorm Sandy.

“I got a lot of positive feedback about enjoying their time at the work sites and the rewarding experiences. The brothers of Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Tau Gamma had a really rewarding experience at Oceanport homes damaged by Sandy,” said Turahov.

“Every year the event and the work sites keep improving. The work sites have been especially appreciative this year. I received many emails from work sites about how thankful they are that the students came. They are expressing true gratitude,” Turahov explained.