The Big Event is celebrating its 20th anniversary at UNK. On Saturday, April 11, hundreds of students will take to the streets of Kearney and devote their morning to serving the community.
The annual day of giving is organized by student government and provides an opportunity for the University to show appreciation for the community’s support.
“I think it just shows how much the Kearney community means to the UNK students,” said Carly Gaedke, Student Senate secretary of community relations. “The community here gives UNK so much and provides a lot of support, so it’s just a good way to pay our respects and show that we are thankful for that.”
The Big Event originated at Texas A&M University in 1982 and has been adopted by universities around the country, guided by the motto “One Big Day, One Big Thanks.” The event has become the nation’s largest one-day, student-run service project. The tradition began at UNK in 2006.
“The Big Event has been a campus tradition and a really great partnership between the campus and the Kearney community for 20 years,” said Renae Zimmer, director of student engagement. “It is a way for college students to give back to the community and to highlight and promote community service and servant leadership.”
The annual day of giving will begin with breakfast at Cope Stadium from 8:30-9 a.m., followed by some announcements and the 20th anniversary celebration, where Chancellor Neal Schnoor and Jonathan Nikkila, the mayor of Kearney, have been invited to speak.
At 9:30 a.m., volunteers will head out to various job sites throughout the city, including residences, businesses and nonprofit organizations.
“Every job site is a little different,” said Kate Roberg, communication coordinator for the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership. “Some might need help planting flowers or mulching their garden, while others may be moving things downstairs to upstairs or washing windows – just little tasks maybe that they’re not able to do anymore.”
Service projects include the highway cleanup, yard work, painting, cleaning and more. As of early March, over 40 job sites had signed up to receive help.
When the projects are complete, participants will be invited back to the campus where pizza will be served in the Nebraskan Student Union from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Gaedke said the day promotes connection, which can take place in many forms. Participants not only interact with businesses and community members, but they will also have the opportunity to unite with their fellow students.
“Everybody has their own job site they’re going to go to, so they’re going to meet somebody new,” Gaedke said. “I think that connection is valuable.”
Gaedke volunteered for the Big Event in 2025, where she helped do yard work for a community member who was unable to complete the task by herself. She said it was meaningful to see the gratitude displayed by the people they were helping, and the experience showed her how impactful this work can be for the community.
Over 100 students have already signed up to take part in the day. Gaedke said the University hopes to match last year’s total of over 400 volunteers at 60 locations. The registration deadline for both volunteers and potential job sites is Friday, March 25.
“Every job site you’re going to go to, they’re going to be really thankful you’re there,” Roberg said. “Just know that you’re going to feel appreciated at the end of it, and it’s a rewarding experience.”
Those interested in participating in the Big Event can register at go.unk.edu/bigevent.
