Big Event to help local community service organizations

Jessica Giannone, General Assignment Reporter:
Southern’s biggest service day in the spring semester, The Big Event, isn’t just a day of volunteering, according to the president of Greek Life Council, Susan Zarnowski, who said it gives meaning to a person’s life.
The event held on April 9 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. allows students to take part in a variety of community service activities at different sites in the New Haven area.
“You’re doing something that goes a long way,” said Zarnowski.
The Board of Club and Organization Management chair for the Student Government Association, Stephan Keller, said the services students will be participating in include beach cleanup, painting, planting, office tasks and food pantry help; anything that organizations aren’t able to do, or need help with. Students will also have the opportunity to spend time with students as mentors and visit the elderly at nursing homes.
Stephanie Guerrera, a graduate intern in charge of events for Student Life, said students will be helping organizations such as Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis, Columbus House, Ronald McDonald House, AIDs Project New Haven, New Haven Home Recovery, Music Haven and Christian Community Action.
The Big Event originated at Texas A&M University in 1982, and among over 60 other universities, Southern has been holding the event for three years.
Keller said can learn a lot about communication skills, and how agencies and fundraising works.
“It gets you out there in ways that other things don’t,” said Keller.
Zarnowski said her sorority will be volunteering at Maple Woods, an assisted living home in Hamden, and will be spending time with the elderly in activities such as playing games and baking.
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