UNT's Big Event impacts communities throughout the North Texas region in big ways with the help of UNT alumni, students, student organizations, and faculty and staff volunteers. For the past three years, the Big Event, a nationwide community service program, has been held at UNT with volunteers committing thousands of hours to nonprofit organizations to make a difference in the community. More than 2,500 volunteers and 60 organizations reached out to help local communities in the North Texas region this spring. And for the first time, members of the UNT Alumni Association were official partners.

More than 20 alumni signed on to participate in packaging meals on campus for Stop Hunger Now, an international hunger relief organization, and the association hopes to see that number grow in the future, says Robert McKinney ('03), director of events for UNT's Alumni Association.

"We were honored to participate in an event that brings together the entire UNT community through service opportunities," he says.

Ernest Martinez ('11), above, and his wife, Monica ('06), helped package meals. He says it was a great opportunity to show students that being involved with UNT doesn't end after graduation.

"We hope all students will commit themselves to doing something positive in our world and community now and as alumni," Martinez says.