The Big Event Grows Into a Full Weekend of Community Service

A man speaks to a group of students and staff from an outdoor podium in front of the campus center. A hanging banner reads UAlbany's Big Event.
The kickoff to the inaugural Big Event on campus in April, 2018. (Photo by Paul Miller)

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 12, 2022) — It’s time to roll up your sleeves and plan to get involved during a weekend of community service, April 22-24.  

What began in 2018 as the Big Event, a day of hands-on service to the community, and transitioned to remote events for the past two pandemic years, is back and bigger than ever. 

“The Big Event has grown from a single day to a weekend of service meant as a way for UAlbany faculty, staff and students to give back to the surrounding communities to say 'thank you' for all they do to support us,” explained Cheryl Simmons, assistant director of UAlbany’s Center for Leadership and Service.

The event kicks off on Earth Day — Friday, April 22 — with opening remarks and the Terra Awards Ceremony at noon in front of the Campus Center. The award honors University students, faculty and staff who have worked to improve sustainability on campus. After recipients are announced, there will be a campus cleanup through 3 p.m.

On Saturday, April 23, there will be a full day of volunteer opportunities both on and off campus. You can sign up to volunteer to aid a nonprofit or charitable agency through Engage UAlbany. Some of the organizations involved include:

  • American Red Cross
  • The RED Bookshelf
  • Blankets of Hope
  • Animal Companion Placement Program
  • Pine Hills Cleanup
  • Girls Inc. of the Greater Capital Region
  • YMCA
  • Capital Roots Community Gardens
  • Grass Root Givers
  • The Vegetable Project
  • The Moon Catcher Project
  • Mission Accomplished

There will also be donation collections for Purple Threads and Support for Ukraine, sponsored by Five Quad, the American Red Cross Club and the UAlbany Senior Class Gift.

The annual WE Care event, where UAlbany volunteers partner with Albany Medical Center to assemble survival kits for victims of sexual assault, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. in SEFCU Arena.

Starting at noon on Sunday, April 23, you can join the Out of the Darkness Walk to fight suicide. Sign up at the University at Albany Campus Walk and meet at Dutch Turf for the event.

For more information about the Big Event visit Engage UAlbany.