New Mexico Tech students clear a plot Saturday as part of a community cleanup, the Big Event.
Cathy Cook | El Defensor Chieftain photos

New Mexico Tech students and staff volunteered to rake, clean and organize throughout Socorro Saturday as part of the inaugural Big Event—an initiative to complete 500 hours of community service in one day.

Tech Children’s Center Director Mitchell Tappen brought his own grabber to help clean up Sedillo Park Saturday.

There were cleanups on three privately owned properties, at the Disabled American Veterans building, the Safe Harbor Store and the Head Start Center. One hundred volunteers cleaned a total of 16 locations, including Sedillo Park, Clark Field, trash pickup along Highway 1 and on Highway 60 near Box Canyon.

“We were unfortunately surprised at how much trash was out there,” said organizer Michael Voegerl, Director of Center for Student Leadership and Engagement.

In total, 15 truckloads of trash were taken to the dump.

The event gave Tech students and staff a chance to connect with the broader Socorro community.

“I think Tech generally either needs to develop or redevelop community ties,” said Nathan Rosenberg, a student who picked up trash at Sedillo Park.

Sinai Grijjalva decided to help Saturday because community service is “just rewarding.”

“We live in the college, but it’s not like we don’t use other community resources,” said Alejandra Mayorga, another student who worked alongside Rosenberg.

Across town, Tech student Chris Roy was part of a group clearing weeds on an abandoned lot. Roy is in the band Fundamental Lack of Ideas. Since they were one of two student groups slated to perform at the post-cleanup celebration, he decided to volunteer too.

“It sounded like fun,” he said.

Next year’s event may focus more on cleanups on individual properties. People will be able to volunteer their properties for cleanup ahead of the event.

“Giving back to the community that has helped support New Mexico Tech for over 132 years is just a great way of being part of that community,” said Voegerl. “Any volunteerism, any volunteering that anybody does benefits everybody.”

There will be more opportunities for volunteerism at robot combat competitions later this month, which will include competitions for middle, high school and college students. Any Tech students or community members interested in helping can email Voegerl at [email protected] for more information.