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Saturday, November 16th our staff had the chance to participate in projects to grow closer as a team, serve the community during a time that is all about saying thank you, and be able to experience first-hand how our mission impacts the Blacksburg and Christiansburg area. Here is what members of our Communications Committee had to say about it;

Nicky Hatch, Communications Committee Member

Participating in my first activity corresponding to The Big Event at Virginia Tech, everyone was incredibly welcoming and warm-hearted. Taking part in a community effort to assist homeowners around the Blacksburg area, I felt as though I was making a real difference in their lives; this inadvertently provided me with a sense of satisfaction and self-actualization.  As one who loves to communicate and collaborate, The Little Event provided a small glimpse of how beneficial this effort really is and how great a cause The Big Event. 

Justin Larkin, Communications Executive

Participating in The Little Event gave our staff members an opportunity to be a volunteer and help out some of the members of our community.  Having been a volunteer on the day of The Big Event, I knew for those that hadn’t experienced it yet, they would see the true impact we have on the community.  As soon as my car pulled into the homeowner’s driveway my three group members and I knew she was thrilled to see us. Before we even started working she explained how much it meant to her that we were there to help her do tasks she otherwise would not be able to herself.  What would have felt like a long day of taxing yard-work any other day flew by, leaving us wishing we had more time to help; looking at the yard behind us after pulling up dead plants and weeds for hours, we knew we had accomplished a huge task, and one that meant a lot to our homeowner.  It’s day like this, and the day of The Big Event, that make me proud to serve as an Executive staff member, as well as a member of this big team working towards that One Big Day.

Heather Trobridge, Communications Executive

I’m not a big crier; not for sad movies, not for sad shows, I’m typically one to keep my emotions in check and keep myself pulled together for things that could get emotional. My first time ever participating on the other side of The Big Event got me good though. As a freshman, I participated as an Operations Team member and for the last two years I’ve had the honor of serving our community as one of our Executives of Communication which means that I’ve never had the opportunity to actually complete a project until this past weekend. Being able to see the effects of what we work towards for 364 days each year first-hand while interacting with our homeowner and hearing how much we truly meant to her has only made me love what we do more. 

I’m grateful to have spent a Saturday working out in her yard and cleaning up around her home for her, while our team made deeper connections and learned that this world really is a small one—this sense of community that The Big Event provides students and New River Valley residents is one that we are truly lucky to have. It’s more than just serving your community; it’s creating connections and an impact on the lives of others. I’m not ashamed to admit that talking to her about The Big Event and how it’s impacted her life made me tear up a lot a bit.

I’m thankful for this organization, the people we meet and the opportunities we provide for students and residents to grow a connection. While I’ll be in our Headquarters on the day of this year, I hope that you can find this sense meaning and truly feel what this organization is all about.