Celebrating service and sustainability
Over 500 Mavericks will head out into the community on Saturday, April 20, for The Big Event—UTA’s annual day of service.
Spearheaded by UTA Volunteers, the event will see participants working on over 20 sites across Arlington, Fort Worth, Hurst and Mansfield.
“Volunteering isn’t a chore or a requirement,” said Dharshini Baskar, a freshman UTA Volunteers student director. “It can be a way to express yourself and be more fulfilling.”
Volunteers will care for animals; paint and clean buildings; clean and beautify parks and recreation areas like River Legacy, the Arlington Garden Club and Lake Arlington Native Plant and Pollinator Garden; and so much more. One hundred volunteers will visit Mission Arlington, the largest site, to help stock the food pantry, manage the clothing room, work around the office, organize donations, unload trucks and myriad other activities.
“Having The Big Event is just another way we can grow our connection to UTA and to our community,” said Aia Al Nasrah, a sophomore UTA Volunteers student director. “It gives Mavericks and the community an opportunity to see what’s around them and that there is something for everybody.”
Volunteer spots are still open for The Big Event. Mavericks can sign up here.
Earth Day
Although geared to encourage volunteering and acts of service, The Big Event every year is held around Earth Day. UTA Volunteers leaders take steps to be as sustainable and green as possible by reusing materials and tools, lowering waste and using sustainable products.
To celebrate Earth Week, the Office of Sustainability will host the following events:
- Scavenger Hunt – Wednesday, April 17, from noon-2 p.m. in the UC Mall
- Compost Site Volunteer Day – Thursday, April 18, from 3-5 p.m. at the Campus Compost Center
- Bracelet Making – Monday, April 22, from noon-2 p.m. in the UC Mall
- 2024 Earth Day Fair – Tuesday, April 23, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Brazos Park