Grand Prairies eighth annual Big Event mobilized more than 1,500 volunteers to assist residents with yard work, gardening and other household chores across more than 100 locations in the city.

The Big Event is a one-day spring-cleaning initiative that brings together volunteers from city departments, local businesses, civic groups, nonprofit organizations, churches and schools to help neighbors who need assistance. City presenters said the program focuses on supporting residents who cannot do the work themselves.

"It's so wonderful when you can't take care of your yard and it gets in this condition. I'm embarrassed really for my community for the way my yard looks, and I just appreciate these nice people coming out and helping me," said Betty Hasty, a long-time Grand Prairie resident who received help during the event.

City presenters told the meeting that Grand Prairie became the first municipality in the nation to adopt the Big Event, after the idea was brought to the city by Mayor Pro Tem Georgia Clemson. The program originated at Texas A&M in 1982 and, officials said, has continued for nearly a decade in Grand Prairie with the same basic goal: neighbors helping neighbors.

Volunteers included elementary, middle and high school students, college students and adults. "Rebecca and I just came from Grama Elementary where there's probably 10 kids, middle school kids, seventh, eighth and ninth graders cleaning up," an unidentified meeting speaker said, noting intergenerational participation and the goal of engaging younger volunteers.

Organizers and volunteers at the meeting emphasized the program's community-building aspect and its role in teaching younger residents about civic service. City presenters described the event as spreading across the city "from north to south and east to west," taking on tasks such as raking leaves, pulling weeds and other outdoor maintenance.

No formal council action or vote on the Big Event was recorded in the meeting excerpt. Officials and volunteers described it as an ongoing annual program supported by the city and local partners.