UDallas community gathers for its largest annual day of community service on May 2
IRVING, Texas (April 27, 2026) — On Saturday, May 2, 2026, University of Dallas students,
faculty, staff and alumni will start gathering on the Mall at 8 a.m. as volunteers
for The Big Event: Serving Irving, UDallas' largest annual day of community service.
Following a send-off ceremony featuring remarks from Irving Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Mark Cronenwett, BA ‘90, and UDallas President Dr. Jonathan J. Sanford and a commissioning prayer by UDallas Chaplain Fr. Jerónimo Espinosa, MPM ‘23, volunteers will head out to serve local Irving households with yard work,
painting, cleaning flower beds and more.
In previous years, more than 250 students, faculty, staff and volunteers served over 50 Irving households, making a tangible difference in the lives of their neighbors.
The Big Event was founded in November 2021 by UDallas students as a way for the university community to connect with Irving through service projects and community outreach. Entirely student-led, what began as a grassroots effort has grown into one of the most beloved and anticipated traditions on the UDallas calendar.
Sara Cantu, '26, and Andrea Trujillo, '27, co-leaders of The Big Event: Serving Irving Executive Team, shared what drives their commitment to the event.
"We believe that The Big Event is a perfect opportunity our Lord has put in front of us to be servants to our neighbors, our brothers and sisters who live next to us," said Cantu.
"What better way to serve Christ than by serving our brothers and sisters? We all have a chance to live out the mission of UDallas, to go forth in the truth, wisdom and beauty of the Catholic faith as missionaries of our Lord to those in our midst," added Trujillo.
For UDallas Student Body President Porter Schmidt, BA ’25, The Big Event is more than a day of service. It is the university's mission lived out in the streets of Irving.
"My favorite Big Event memory was doing yard work and house work for an elderly couple in Irving. We got to discuss the Christian faith with them and it was just a really blessed experience. The ability for UDallas students to go out and show our Christian love to our neighbors in Irving is the UDallas education in action," Schmidt said.
"It has been a privilege to work on The Big Event with our students these past five
years,” said Marissa "Moey" Brown, BA '17, director of student engagement. “Watching our students' passion for working
in their own community has been incredibly gratifying. I am thankful to the university,
the mayor's office and the community for their support in allowing us to continue
hosting this event."
“I am honored to be a part of the Big Event this year,” said Mariana Toro Yehya, BA ’23, student activities assistant. “I am proud of the hard work Andrea Trujillo
and Sara Cantu have put forth for this event, they are truly incredible! This year,
I am especially excited for the students to serve their Irving community by helping
local schools such as Great Hearts, Faustina Academy and St. Francis Montessori."
Volunteers can sign up as individuals or in groups, including UDallas clubs, friend groups and classes. Breakfast, lunch, water and snacks will be provided on the day of the event. Those interested in donating lawn equipment, tools or non-perishable snacks are encouraged to contact bigevent@udallas.edu.
There are several ways to get involved:
* Sign up to volunteer at a household.
* Volunteer to distribute breakfast, lunches and supplies to teams on campus at 8
a.m. on May 2.
* Donate lawn equipment, tools or non-perishable snacks by contacting bigevent@udallas.edu.
Irving residents interested in requesting volunteers for house or yard work, please
complete this job request form.
The Big Event send-off ceremony will take place early morning on Saturday, May 2,
2026, on the Mall at the University of Dallas, 1845 E. Northgate Drive, Irving, Texas
75062. Breakfast for volunteers will be available beginning at 8 a.m.
Learn more at udallas.edu/big-event.
About the University of Dallas
The University of Dallas is the premier Catholic liberal arts university in the nation, recommended by the Cardinal Newman Society for its rigorous Core Curriculum and vibrant intellectual and spiritual life. With campuses in Texas and Italy, UDallas forms students intellectually, socially and spiritually for a life well-lived through undergraduate, graduate liberal arts, graduate business programs and professional programs in the humanities, ministry and classical education. Learn more or apply at udallas.edu.
