The MTSU Office of Student Organizations and Service will partner with Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity as part of the second annual Big Payback, offering matching funds for donations submitted on Tuesday, May 5, up to $10,000.

The local Habitat for Humanity officials say they are excited to join forces with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee as part of this year’s one-day online giving campaign.

MTSU student volunteers work with Habitat for Humanity crews on the 2012 Habitat Blitz Build on East Seiver Street in Murfreesboro. (MTSU file photo)

The money raised during this event will be used for the MTSU Habitat Build and the construction of a Habitat for Humanity house for a family in need in Murfreesboro, according to a Habitat news release.

Part of the money that MTSU has committed to the build and matching donations was raised during the See Spot Run 5K Run/Walk for Habitat at MTSU on May 2.

The MTSU Office of Student Organizations and Service is part of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership and provides volunteer and community service opportunities to students. MTSU has supported the local Habitat in funding and supplying volunteers for Habitat builds for 10 years.

A video produced for Habitat’s involvement in The Big Payback event, “Help Us Restore A Neighborhood” reflects the need for donations to help tear down a “crack house” that’s a blight to the area, build a new Habitat house for a family in need and restore the neighborhood. Habitat is celebrating its 25th anniversary of building safe and affordable houses for Rutherford County families.

To date, Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity has built 125 houses in Rutherford County, including many in the Maney area near downtown Murfreesboro.

Watch the “Help Us Restore A Neighborhood” video:

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s #BigPayback is a region-wide, 24-hour online giving event created to help Middle Tennessee nonprofits raise funds vital to continue their work, which directly improves the community around them.

The charitable event, sponsored by The Community Foundation and the Kharis Foundation, will begin just after midnight Tuesday, May 5, and runs for 24 hours.

Once the clock starts, anyone can visit TheBigPayback.org or the RCHFH website, www.RutherfordHabitat.org, and make donations to Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity, and other participating nonprofits, including schools and religious institutions that serve the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee.

The inaugural event raised $1.49 million for 525 nonprofits last year. In one day’s time, more than 11,661 gifts were made. Nearly 30 percent of donations supported human services organizations; 12 percent to health; and 10 percent to organizations serving the arts.

“For 24 hours on May 5, The Big Payback will be the most inclusive, most collaborative giving event in Middle Tennessee history. It will be an easy, fun and a meaningful way for all of us to show our local pride and give back,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, in a Habitat release.

“Nonprofits do life-changing work every day across Middle Tennessee and it’s time for us to come together to support their efforts and recognize the positive impact they have on our neighbors, in our own backyards.”

Public donors will be able to view and select from participating nonprofits based on location and focus area, such as animals, education, healthcare and more. Donors can support multiple nonprofits and make gifts of any size, from $10 and up.

For more information, visit TheBigPayback.org.