Virginia Tech Big Event: Largest Student-Led Day of Service

Each spring Virginia Tech pauses classes so students, faculty, staff, and alumni can pick up paint brushes, rakes, and power tools for one shared mission—saying “thank you” to the neighbors who support the university all year. The Big Event, the nation’s second-largest student-run service day, channels 10,000+ volunteers into 900+ hands-on projects across Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and the entire New River Valley. From landscaping public parks and weather-proofing senior homes to rebuilding fences for local farms and hosting kids’ carnivals, no task is too small when it’s powered by Hokie spirit. Rooted in Virginia Tech’s motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), the morning begins with free breakfast, live music, and giveaways in the Drillfield before teams disperse to job sites armed with supplies, safety gear, and plenty of orange pride. By afternoon everyone reconvenes for a celebratory picnic, photo booths, and a service recap that proves the numbers—more than 35,000 volunteer hours logged in a single day—truly add up to lasting community change. Whether you’re a first-year looking to meet friends, an alum wanting to reconnect, or a local nonprofit hoping to finish a long-delayed project, The Big Event welcomes all skill levels and majors. Registration opens in January, but spots fill quickly for crew-chief and site-captain roles. Come see why this annual tradition has been copied by 120+ campuses nationwide and discover how collective gratitude can transform both a town and yourself.