More than 1,100 college students volunteered around Tallahassee on Saturday, Feb. 21 to give back to the community that supports them throughout their time in school.
The Big Event Tallahassee brings together students from Florida State, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee State College. Guided by the motto “A Thank You to Tallahassee,” students take part in two service days each year.
The one-day service projects, The Little Event in the fall and The Big Event in the spring, assist nonprofit organizations, businesses and residences by organizing, cleaning or performing small repairs like painting. During the fall event, more than 600 students assisted 40 sites. In February, The Big Event Tallahassee helped at more than 55 locations throughout the city. Sites included schools, local businesses, nonprofits and residences.
Students sign up as a group or individual to participate. Before the event, the registered student organization (RSO) with the most participants wins the Golden Shovel.
Two shovels are awarded: one for a Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) organization and one for an RSO. The Delta Lambda chapter of Beta Theta Pi and the Florida Beta chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta, a National Health Preprofessional Honor Society, won this year.
“The Big Event Tallahassee is truly a one‑of‑a‑kind experience. Not only does it bring students from FSU, FAMU and TSC together, it also creates meaningful connections between our students and the broader Tallahassee community,” said Stormy McGivern, director of the FSU Office of Student Organizations and Involvement. “Investing in the place you call home during your college years is invaluable, and it’s inspiring to watch students learn about Tallahassee while making a positive impact. We’re incredibly proud of The Big Event RSO for earning national recognition as the Most Improved Big Event at this year’s One Big Thanks Conference.”
Participation in the event grows each year. Organizations interested in becoming a service site should visit The Big Event Tallahassee website at the start of each semester to register.
About The Big Event Tallahassee
The Big Event Tallahassee is a registered student organization and serves as one of the largest, one-day, student-run service projects. The Big Event Tallahassee provides FSU, FAMU and TSC students the opportunity to show appreciation to the local community through service projects such as yard work, window washing and painting. This tradition started at Texas A&M University in 1982 and now students at colleges and universities around the nation come together to say ‘thank you’ to the residents of their college town. To learn more about The Big Event Tallahassee, visit thebigevent.fsu.edu