Grand Prairie’s Big Event set for March 28; organizers seek volunteers and sponsors

Organizers Alaina Harris and Sarah Dodalic described Grand Prairie’s Big Event as a one-day citywide volunteer effort to connect residents and volunteers for spring-cleaning type projects such as flower-bed cleanouts, tree trimming and yard help for residents who cannot do the work themselves. “So it's gonna take place, on March 28, Saturday, from 8 to 1,” Harris said, adding that the group will meet for a kickoff at Epic Central from 8 to 9 a.m. before volunteers depart to assigned projects.

Sarah Dodalic provided historical context and impact metrics, saying the program began with a campus model and that Grand Prairie was the first municipality to host the Big Event. “In 8 years, do you know that, through our volunteers and through this 1 day event, we've collected, more than a 190 tons of trash,” Dodalic said, and she added that the initiative has engaged almost 11,000 volunteers and completed about 700 jobs at residents' homes. Organizers said sign-ups will open March 1 through the city's website, that they typically aim for roughly 1,000 volunteers on the day, and that sponsorships and donations (not city funding) underwrite the event.

Dodalic clarified participation rules: group leaders must be 18 or older, though teens may participate as helpers. Organizers encouraged churches, businesses and community groups to submit volunteer teams or nominate residents in need of help, and they asked potential sponsors and volunteers to check the city website for registration and project submission details.