Southeastern students participate in ‘Big Event’ day of community service
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
by: Rene Abadie
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HAMMOND – Approximately 600 Southeastern Louisiana University students put in
a day of community service in the City of Hammond and nearby communities on Saturday
(April 23) as part of the university’s sixth annual Big Event.
Sponsored by the Student Government Association, the Big Event is intended to
give students the opportunity to help the communities and organizations that support
Southeastern in many ways, said SGA President Alexis Quakenbush.
“You are definitely making a difference in our community,” Assistant Vice President
for Student Affairs Jim McHodgkins said to the students assembled in the Student Union
mall before going to their assignments. “You are showing our residents the Southeastern
spirit of giving back.”
The students included individual volunteers and representatives of several student
organizations and worked at sites such Zemurray Park, the Iowa Neighborhood Association,
several Hammond fire stations, Special Olympics, Child Advocacy Service, First Christian
Church and the Southeastern campus among others.
Jobs included beautification and landscaping projects, clean-up efforts in downtown
Hammond, cleaning and polishing the city’s fire engines, sorting materials and conducting
inventory for non-profit organizations.
“We’re so pleased with the work these students have done in the church and on
the grounds,” said Lorraine Faust, treasurer at First Christian Church who worked
with the students. “This is the second year we’ve had the Southeastern students, and
they are a big help to us. Everything just sparkles.”
Faust said the church tends to have an older congregation, so the volunteer help
by the students is greatly appreciated.
“They did a fantastic job,” said Capt. Bryan Needham, after looking at the shinning
fire truck the ladies of Alpha Omicron Pi had just cleaned and polished. “Their work
is much appreciated.”
The Big Event was originally scheduled in March but was postponed due to inclement
weather.
CUTLINES
1) SLU STUDENTS LION UP FOR THE BIG EVENT -- Approximately 600 Southeastern students joined forces for “The Big Event” Saturday,
a day of community service. The students worked on the Southeastern campus as well
as in area churches, parks, fire stations, humane shelters and other locations as
their way of giving back to the communities that support them. This was the sixth
year the SLU Student Government Association sponsored The Big Event.
2) SPRUCING UP – Southeastern Louisiana University students Scott Cooper of Mandeville, left, and
Paul Haddican of Marrero prune the bushes in front of First Christian Church in Hammond
as part of the Student Government Association-sponsored Big Event. The two are members
of the SLU Hall Council and volunteered their efforts to help clean the grounds of
the church.
3) ALL CLEAN AND POLISHED – The ladies of Southeastern Louisiana University’s chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi pose
on the Hammond Fire Department’s SLU fire truck after putting in a morning washing
and polishing the vehicle. Their efforts were part of the Student Government Association-sponsored
sixth annual Big Event.
