RRHS’s ‘Big Event’ is approaching; still time to get help

Senior citizens, and disabled and/or wheelchair-bound folks in Rio Rancho, here’s a great time to rid your yard of weeds, get those windows cleaned, have that layer of leaves raked or even get some painting done – not to mention some help in putting up the Christmas tree.

The 14th annual Big Event, staged by the Associated Students, aka Student Council, at Rio Rancho High School, are available to help. There’s going to more than 100 of them out on the morning and early afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 12, and it not only helps those in need feel good, it seems to help those helpful kids feel good, too.

If you need some help in the yard or in the house – heck, these kids enjoy chatting and getting to know the local residents – should call or email RRHS Activities Director Chris Salas (Christopher.salas@rrps.net or 505-896-5600, ext. 53500); community members interested in serving at a job site or adult volunteers are welcome to do likewise.

RRHS senior Gianna Rogers will be participating in her third Big Event, since the 2020 workday was scrubbed by the pandemic.

What’s memorable for her, she said, are “the people, because they’re so grateful for it, somebody to help them.” She’s worked on pulling weeds, raking leaves, trimmed bushes and helped with Christmas decorations.

“It makes me feel good as a person, giving back to my community,” she said, “and seeing smiles on people’s faces.”

“Honestly, I love helping this community and getting time with my friends,” added fellow senior Juliana Najar. “It makes a big difference, a small thing you do.”

She’s also done the same things as Rogers, but also played a game of Uno with a senior citizen at one of the Big Events.

Junior Dori Ko also likes having a chance to give back to her community, noting it helps her “moral integrity.”

And, she noted, “It looks good on college applications and work résumés – and makes you feel good.”

It’s not always doing labor that keeps her going back to help: “We talk to the people, hear their stories mostly,” she said, although hearing from her father, “Why don’t you clean up our yard?”

She’s going to be in Farmington, though, and missing out on this Big Event. She’ll be competing in a statewide activities competition.

Freshman Matthew Waxler, though a rookie to The Big Event knows all about community involvement: “Since I’ve been in elementary school, I’ve been volunteering.

“I’ve worked with Seed to Need and Keep Rio Rancho beautiful,” he said. “My grandfather inspired me to do a lot of things,” he said. “He’s gone now.”

So while you’re getting those extra “Z’s” on Nov. 12, these and several hundred RRHS students will rendezvous at the school and head out in groups, after being fed breakfast. They’ll take along snacks, although the folks they help often have something for them, and then back at RRHS around 2 p.m. for lunch and having the rest of the weekend to themselves.