Partner with Big Red's Blitz
Let's do something BIG
Big Red's Blitz: Partners
Every August, WKU’s newest Hilltoppers are invited to participate in M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, the university’s five day transition program for new students, which takes place the week before classes begin. During M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan, students attend educational sessions, special events, and social activities all designed to help them successfully transition from home and high school to college at WKU.
One of M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan's featured events is Big Red’s Blitz, where participants “blitz” Bowling Green, completing four hours of service at local non-profit agencies/organizations.
Big Red’s Blitz volunteers, also known as “Blitzers,” are sent out into the community in groups to work alongside Big Red, M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Mentors, and fellow classmates, to complete various service projects. Whether they’re sorting items at The Salvation Army, cleaning up local parks and wooded areas with Bowling Green Public Works, pulling invasive species at Lost River Cave, organizing building materials with Habitat for Humanity, or painting picnic tables at Potter Children’s Home, Blitzers are committed to “getting off the bench” and “doing something big” in their community!
Benefits to Partnering
Agencies/Organizations that serve as Big Red’s Blitz Partners receive volunteer services for up to four hours. During those four hours, partners could share information about, and promote on-going opportunities for service as well.
We often hear stories of students who continue to volunteer with organizations after Big Red’s Blitz. Participating in Big Red’s Blitz as a Partner also provides agencies/organizations the opportunity to collaborate with WKU in the provision of meaningful learning experiences to students.
Big Red's Blitz will take place
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Monday. August 5
Emails will be sent to MASTERPLAN participants' topper email addresses. From here, students can register for the Big Red's Blitz site.
Friday, August 16
Participants who sign up should receive an email or text from an assigned Big Red's Blitz site leader with information about Saturday's project, including attire, address, etc.
August 17- 9:45 AM
Students will walk to projects on or near campus.
Students will have the option to drive to their sites.
Students are encouraged to carpool with new MASTERPLAN friends.
10:00 AM
All students should have arrived to the project site between 9:45 and 10 AM. Lunch will be included for all blitzers on-site.
2:00 PM
All projects will be wrapped-up by 2 PM
Indoor Projects
- Paint the inside of a building
- Wash windows, carpets, walls, toys
- Wallpaper a room
- Construct a play gym for children
- Build a coat rack at a shelter or childcare center
- Build a storage shed or shelves for recreational equipment
- Sort and repair organization toys and equipment
- Letter‐writing
- Organize clothing or food pantry
Outdoor Projects
- Plant a garden
- Paint the exterior a building
- Build or repair a wheelchair ramp
- Plant flowers
- Paint picnic tables or park benches
- Repair and clean a camp or play area for children
- Clean and paint fences
- Plan a yard clean‐up: weeding, planting, raking, mulching, pruning shrubs
- Revitalize a playground
- Create a walking trail
- Walk dogs or pet animals
- Neighborhood clean-up
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Complete and submit the Partnership Participation and Project Site form by July 1, 2024.
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Contact Amelia Kolb (amelia.kolb@wku.edu) with any questions regarding the project. We are happy to help you brainstorm ideas!
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Be prepared to have staff members on-site to provide direction and supervise student volunteers.
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Secure any materials needed to complete your project (ex. paint, plants, mulch, building materials, etc.) by either purchasing them or seeking in-kind donations.
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Prepare a back-up project in case of rain.
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Complete the Partnership Evaluation after the project.
The following is an example of what a project site submission might look like:
Partner Name: Community Action of Southern Kentucky
Community Action of Southern Kentucky provides services in 10 counties in south central KY. These include Head Start, Weatherization, Senior Centers, Meals on Wheels, and GO bg transit in Bowling Green.
Project Description: Old fashioned fun community car/bus wash. Detail vehicles for Head Start, Weatherization, Senior Centers, Meals on Wheels, and GO bg transit
Volunteers needed: 4 – 15
In case of rain: 4 - 15
Attire: Wear clothes and shoes to get wet and have fun. Bring a dry change of clothes.
Project location: 304 East 11th Avenue
Contact Person: Ken Meredith
Office Phone: (270) 782-3162 EXT 247
Mobile Phone: (270) 202 –1730
Assistant Director of Leadership & Volunteerism
WKU Student Activities & Organizations
amelia.kolb@wku.edu | (270)745-5791
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