Funding problems force Big Event organizers to cut back on expenses

More than 600 students will spend tomorrow morning playing a part in the Big Event, an annual university-wide philanthropy day that gives students the opportunity to give back to the Tucson community.

Twenty-eight teams of students representing organizations like fraternities, sororities and residence halls, will work from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson.

"Students will literally be building houses (and) putting the finishing touches on homes and putting on an Easter egg hunt for boys and girls," said Janis Gallego, Associated Students of the University of Arizona community development director.

This year's expected turnout would be an increase of more than 300 students from last year, a jump Gallego attributed to increased promotion and mass e-mails sent throughout the university.

With the high number of participants, Big Event site coordinator Kevin Kundinger said he had a difficult time finding places to send volunteers.

"Right now, I am hoping that we are able to find places for volunteers and that the community notices - especially after spring break - the good that college students do," he said.

The number of participants has also affected the amount of sponsorships the Big Event committee has needed, leaving them unable to give T-shirts, transportation and lunch to participants, Gallego said.

"People are really receptive to supporting this event because it is with the whole community.

Bruegger's Bagels and a lot of other local businesses have contributed because they see the need," said Alistair Chapman, sponsorship coordinator for the Big Event.

"It is a hard time with the economy right now, and because of the amount of people we have, there hasn't been enough money to support it."

In past years, ASUA rented buses to take students to and from the service projects, but a shortfall in sponsorships is keeping them from offering that service this year.

"We told students that they need to carpool and there are a lot more sites this year, which makes it more difficult," Gallego added.

Some students who are contributing their time said they heard about the Big Event through friends who have participated in the past.

"The guys who did it before said it was a lot of fun and it's a good cause," said Todd Arena, philanthropy chair for Beta Theta Pi. "They had a good time cleaning up neighborhoods, and it gets guys more active in the community."

The Big Event, which started 20 years ago at Texas A&M University, has spread to 24 other campuses across the country.