By VALERIE METREJEAN

Staff Writer

One Big Day, one Big Thanks, one Big Event.

This year's theme for the Big Event is one of immense gratitude and community.

On April 16 at 9 a.m., the Student Government Association hopes students would come out and participate in one big thank you to the Ruston community.

"It started out with a few SGA members serving through several projects," Lindsay Mencacci, SGA vice president and senior biology major, said.

Mencacci said the idea for Big Event came from Texas A&M University, where students gather for the same purpose. Mencacci said this year, Texas A&M will hold their Big Event the same day as Tech does.

SGA encourages all students to participate whether it is with an organization or as an individual. Students who choose to sign up unaffiliated with an organization must sign up by April 11. Organization packets are due today at 5 p.m.

Ludwig said they placed an ad in the Ruston Daily Leader, and sent out letters to people in the community with job request.

"They fill out the form and SGA pairs the jobs with organizations," Ludwig said. "Many elderly people in the community are very appreciative of the work that the Big Even provides."

Ludwig said the SGA is constantly getting thank-you letters from the people who have been impacted by this project.

"The Big Event is [the student's] direct way to say thank you to the community for what they have done for Tech," Kimberly Ludwig, SGA president and senior business management and entrepreneurship major, said.

Mencacci said that when she hears other students talk about the Big Event it usually has more to do with the personal connections made instead of the work put in.

"To hear the stories of the people in the community provides a unique experience that is bigger than the actual work," Mencacci said.

Jenny Quinnelly, a community service cabinet member and senior speech communications major, said the two hours spent serving the community on the Saturday morning will be a "very gratifying experience."

"It is a great way to meet people from all organizations on campus while helping the community," Quinnelly said. "This event is probably the one event on campus that brings together all organizations at Tech."

Ludwig said last year 720 students served in the Big Event.

Laura Whistine, a community service cabinet member and senior accounting major, said "this year's goal for students' participation is 1,000.

"We are trying to get bigger and better each year with the Big Event," Quinelly said.

Free T-shirts will be given out to all participants and lunch will be provided.