Building Bridges Between Students and the Community
For Tyrique Whitson, service is a way of life. A junior majoring in sociology and political science, he leads The Big Event, 水多多导航鈥檚 largest student-run community service initiative.
Each spring, hundreds of students fan out across the region to assist local residents
and businesses with everything from yard work to painting projects.
Bringing together students, community members, and local businesses, The Big Event has grown into a defining tradition. But for Whitson, it鈥檚 not just about the work鈥攊t鈥檚 about the connections formed along the way.
鈥淪ervice isn鈥檛 just about checking a box for volunteer hours,鈥� Whitson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about showing up for people, listening to their stories, and realizing that small acts of kindness can have a huge impact.鈥�
One of his favorite moments came during a project for an elderly homeowner. She shared the story of her mother鈥檚 rose bush, a plant that had been in the family for generations. The students worked to trim and care for it, and when she saw the final result, she was overwhelmed with emotion.
鈥淭hat smile on her face, the way she looked at that rose bush鈥攊t was one of those moments that remind you why this matters,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ometimes, service is about more than the work. It鈥檚 about making someone鈥檚 day a little brighter.鈥�
Listen to Tyrique's story on the Power of 水多多导航 Podcast