Photo courtesy of SAGE

On March 2, 2008, Oprah Winfrey debuted her philanthropic reality show “The Big Give.” In every episode, competitors in the television series would travel to different U.S. cities, donate to special organizations, assist in several service projects and empower people in socio-economic needs.

Unfortunately the program only lasted one season; however, the concept still thrives, especially through S.A.G.E. (Students Assisting In Good Endeavors) here at WTAMU.

For the past two years, S.A.G.E. has perpetuated what Oprah started causing a stir in campus activity.  Last Saturday, five campus organizations gathered together and targeted the needs of people in the Canyon-Amarillo area.

“This is our second year, and we’re only getting better,” Brittni Henderson, co-chair of Buffalo Big Give, said. “We set up this event on National Make a Difference Day, and we hoped to really make a change within the community. We want to help transform this area and instill a little more happiness.”

S.A.G.E encourages campus organizations to be more involved within the community and believes that Big Give can be a possible apparatus.

“This year, we had a couple of Greek societies and people from the eternal flame,” Henderson said, “but there wasn’t a huge turnout. We really want people to join in next year.”

Groups can only spend one hundred dollars on their idea. If they have the best presentation, their organization will receive five hundred dollars for their general fund.

“One team gave out pumpkins this year to kids in a hospital,” Andrew Mastriano, co-chair of Buffalo Big Give, said. “Last year, the WT football team went and played basketball with kids who just really needed that experience. Whatever we do, we do it for the people.”

The main goal of Big Give is to allow campus organizations to see the people in the area and witness the lives of people who need a positive encounter.

“We want to make an impact,” Mastriano said. “S.A.G.E. directs the people and orchestrates the event, so we often times don’t get to witness the impact; however, we get to hear the stories of lives being changed by just one visit.”