Tasks, volunteers sought for next Big Event community service project

Get help

Thousands of volunteers will complete lawn or household projects in the Lawrence community from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 12, the date of Kansas University’s Big Event. To submit a job request, go online to thebigeventku.com or call 864-7469.

KU student, staff and faculty groups wishing to volunteer also can find a sign-up form on the website.

Need a few helping hands for a lawn or household project? Thousands will be at the ready on April 12, the day of Kansas University’s fourth annual Big Event.

Event organizers are now accepting requests for jobs online at thebigeventku.com or by calling 864-7469. They’re also signing up KU students, faculty and staff to volunteer.

This year’s Big Event, the fourth annual, aims to be the biggest yet, with goals of enlisting 4,500 volunteers to perform work at 500 job sites, said Alex Null, one of the event advisors. Last year’s event involved about 3,000 volunteers working at 300 job sites.

The Big Event mobilizes volunteers to perform community service projects at public locations and private residences on a single, designated day.

“The university sees this as a huge investment, not only to give back to the Lawrence community but to help build relationships between KU and the Lawrence community,” Null said.

Common projects include planting, window washing, tree-trimming, painting and indoor cleaning. Job sites aren’t exclusively needs-based, Null said, volunteers just want to reach out to the community.

“They would really love to help anyone, whether it’s the elderly who can’t necessarily do a certain task themselves or even someone who doesn’t necessarily have the time,” she said.

Most volunteers sign up with their respective KU organizations, but individuals can volunteer, too, Null said. They’ll be paired up with other individuals or a group.