Ferris State University’s Student Government Association is excited to again host The BIG
Event, a large-scale student-run volunteer community service project in Big Rapids, on Saturday,
April 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Student Government Association President Cassidy Engels, a junior from Otsego majoring in
Medical Laboratory Science in the College of Health Professions, shared her optimism about a
strong student turnout for The BIG Event on April 22. On April 11, the SGA hosted a
recruitment picnic to strengthen awareness of The BIG Event, which has tabbed Hope House
Free Medical Clinic, of Big Rapids, as a beneficiary of donations this year.

“We were so pleased to see registered student organizations and individuals come out to join us,”
Engels said of the kickoff event. “There were dozens of volunteers who registered, happy to get a
gift from the SGA and confirm their plans to take part.”

During The BIG Event, students perform small tasks for Big Rapids community members,
including yard work, washing windows and gardening as a “thank you.”

Registration for student participants continued through Saturday, April 15, Engels said the SGA
closed registration for Big Rapids area residents who sought visits for lawn maintenance or other
projects in late March.

“We are arranging the schedule for our participant groups, so they can come to Lot 5-E, between
Top Taggart Field and the Interdisciplinary Resource Center, to pick up their assignment
information and equipment the morning of the 22nd,” Engels said. “This plan means the teams
can get supplied and meet with the residents that they will help more efficiently, but we will take
care of all groups signed up when they come to us.”

The Big Event began over a decade ago on the Ferris campus. Engels said she is proud of the
SGA’s efforts to return participation levels to those seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.