Welcome to a special Difference Makers edition of Maroon! Learn about young alumni who are making a difference by giving back to the university they love and how you can make a tangible impact in Aggieland too, no matter your age or situation.
Through the student-run Big Event, Aggies lead the way in giving back to their community.
For over 40 years, tens of thousands of Aggies have dedicated a Saturday in the spring to serving thousands of members in the Bryan-College Station community. In 1982, Joe Nussbaum ’84, then vice president of the Student Government Association, envisioned a project to express Aggies’ gratitude to Bryan-College Station residents for their support of both Texas A&M University and its students. His idea became The Big Event. The one-day service project allows students to give their time and hard work to community members by completing requested tasks, from cleaning houses and washing windows to replanting lawns and painting.
Though only current students can volunteer, anyone can participate by financially supporting The Big Event to help the organization cover the price of tools, student insurance, the kickoff ceremony and volunteer parking. “The Big Event can only serve Bryan-College Station residents every year because of our partners’ and donors’ support,” said Tara Driskill ’24, The Big Event’s director.
Since its start, the event has become the largest one-day student-run service project in the nation and has inspired universities around the country and world to start their own Big Event chapters. And while the organization has made tremendous progress since its inaugural event, its mission remains the same: to say “Thank you.”
“We participated in The Big Event as students and have benefited as Aggieland residents, so we know there’s so much work that happens behind the scenes to make the event a success. Our gift was a small way to give back to such an impactful program.”
Planning for next year’s Big Event is already underway! Did you know a $35 gift can provide five garden spades and $120 can purchase three trench shovels? Give to the Big Event Endowment today and help Aggies serve their community.
