Wichita State’s largest one-day community service event has just made its semi-annual appearance. Students, alumni, faculty and other volunteers spent their Saturday morning volunteering in the Wichita community.
Kicking off at 9 a.m in the Rhatigan Student Center’s Beggs Ballroom, more than 130 volunteers were provided with breakfast and background information about the event before dispersing to 16 different locations. According to Amy Nguyen, vice president of marketing for WSU’s Community Service Board, transportation was provided, and the volunteers went to different sites to do a variety of work.
“This is an opportunity for all Wichita State students to have a free experience of being able to have transportation provided and food provided, but also at the same time going and giving back to the community,” Nguyen, who is also WSU’s student body vice president, said.
Locations include the Kiah Duggins Shocker Support Locker, Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Rainbows United and more. Hannah Melendez, food and hunger hair for the Community Service Board took part in volunteering at Exploration Place.
“Right now we are helping (Exploration Place) prepare for their big chocolate event. I’ve heard it’s really fun and very fancy.” Melendez said. “We’re wiping down some chairs and tables … we also have some people cleaning up outside.”
Stacy Ward Lattin, United Way of the Plains’ manager of community outreach and public engagement, works with the nonprofit organizations that need volunteers. She said that not only does volunteering help the community, but it can also be educational and inspiring to those who participate.
“I think it’s good for students to get an opportunity to see (the community) whether they’re from here and they’ve grown up in Wichita or not … hopefully they’ll enjoy their time and be inspired to continue to volunteer and make that a part of their routine,” Ward Lattin said.
The Community Service Board, a student council that focuses on service and active citizenship in the community, organizes the event every semester.
“This is, I think, my sixth Wu’s Big Event that I’ve done in leadership… It’s been a really amazing experience,” said Matthew Phan, president of the Community Service Board. “I think civic engagement is such an important aspect to being a true Shocker … It’s always so exciting to see all the different types of volunteers that we have.”
Loren Belew, the student program coordinator for Student Engagement and Belonging, said she appreciates seeing all the work students put in.
“I’m really proud of our student leaders and the leadership that they’ve shown in this event each semester,” Belew said. “They work really hard at it, and for me as an advisor, it’s really great to see them shine and put on this event.”
For many students, this was not their first time attending. Jordan Manning, a senior majoring in aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering said he had prior experience volunteering for Wu’s Big Event.
“This is actually my second time being here … In the Fall I was also here and we were helping package brochures to send out to Elementary schools to get them interested,” said Manning.
Tony Cao, a senior majoring in management information systems, said the day inspires people to connect.
“It makes people encouraged to do things together with your friends and with your club or community… It makes you feel like you’re making a difference,” Cao said.
“I would recommend getting involved with your community in some way to all of my peers, even if you can’t make it to Wu’s big event,” Melendez said. “CSB does so many events, and it’s just a really meaningful way to connect with your peers but also see your community in a way you’ve never seen it before.”
For more information on Community Service Board events, visit WSU’s website.
