Wilkes University students are planning the third annual campus wide community service project, called “The Big Event,” that focuses on helping the city of Wilkes-Barre.

This year, 200 participants will be in downtown Wilkes-Barre working outside sweeping sidewalks, landscaping, and collecting trash.

Another 200 participants will be heading to nonprofit organizations to offer their assistance. These organizations will be within walking distance from the Wilkes University campus.

“The Big Event” will be held on Saturday, April 26, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. A barbecue will follow the work day at 2 p.m.

“Everyone, including the homeowners and participants, are invited to mingle and feel part of the community,” said Kassandra Bugg, the student government executive board recording secretary and the student coordinator for “The Big Event.”

For the past two years, the student government executive board recording secretary has had the position of student coordinator for this event. As the student coordinator, Bugg is responsible for a group of 25 students and oversees all the details that go into planning the event. Bugg also works directly with the staff coordinator.

“Although it’s been passed down, I wasn’t forced into the position, I volunteered for it,” Bugg said.

During “The Big Event,” Bugg will have many responsibilities working a lot of the logistics. This includes working registration, making sure everyone is where they need to be, organizing transportation and setting up for the barbecue.

“The day of the event, I’ll probably be running around like a chicken with its head cut off,” Bugg said.

This will be the first year that the main focus of the event is on the local community.

In past years, participants have traveled to areas such as Hazelton and Pittston for community service projects. As the years progress, more details of the event may be ironed out.

For more information on “The Big Event,” or to register, contact Bugg at [email protected].