Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) is partnering with the Fuller Center for Housing for a two-week Blitz Build as part of the University’s inaugural Big Eventservice program, with an official groundbreaking ceremony held at the site Thursday, Feb. 29.

Faculty, staff and student volunteers will come together to construct a house on S. Hampton Street in Americus for a deserving local family. The project will honor GSW alumni Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, who were heavily involved in Millard and Linda Fuller’s housing ministries.

“They got involved in Millard’s ministries, and it changed everything,” Fuller Center President David Snell told the crowd assembled for the ceremony. “The ministries just exploded. So, we want to honor them with this house.”

GSW plans for The Big Event to become an annual tradition centered around a large-scale community service initiative, fostering unity between the campus and local community.

“The Big Event is an opportunity for us as a campus to say ‘thank you’ to the community that hosts us, and to give back to the community that provides so much for us,” said GSW President Neal Weaver, Ph.D. “This is a great opportunity for us to be involved in something very special, something that is meaningful, something that changes people’s lives.”

Americus Mayor Lee Kinnamon also commended the collaboration during the groundbreaking.

“We want to make sure we’re promoting a spirit of partnership and collaboration because we all know that we get more done when we work together. When we’re working together for a common good, we can achieve so much more.”

Planners expect the full build will require an estimated 600 volunteer hours to complete. The project is set to begin Monday, April 1 with the home dedication taking place Friday, April 19.

For more information and to keep up with the project through photos and video, please visit gsw.edu/BigEvent and fullercenter.org/BigEvent.