Erin Bird, Ambassador Extrordinaire!

Erin Bird is a Building Impact Superstar Ambassador leading the way for her company to participate in many Building Impact events over the past few years. Below, she shares with us the beginnings of her passion for service.

BI: Tell us about your community service back ground.

EB: Prior to discovering Building Impact I had done very little local service. I had done the research, but I never really found the right fit with an organization. I knew there was SO MUCH OUT THERE, it was just a matter of finding the right place before I could get pumped—I  am happy I found BI!

BI: How did you learn about BI?

EB: When I started working at a pharmaceutical company in Cambridge, I saw the signs posted in the lobby but I never really paid attention. Then one of my co-workers asked if I would be interested in making valentines for senior citizens over my lunch break. Umm, yes please?! I had such a great time and was introduced to Jordan Jones from Building Impact who was running the event. She told me about BI and some of the things they did. She also told me to read the signs in the lobby…I was hooked.

BI: Why did you become a Building Impact Ambassador?

EB: I went to a few more volunteering lunches and found it to be a great outlet during the day. I wanted to encourage my co-workers to join me and I knew that if people just had the time, they would do more. So, Building Impact helped me bring the projects right to my company.

BI: How much work is involved with being an Ambassador?

EB: Just like anything, the more you put into it, the more successful you will be. It depends on what your goals and expectations. I think if you are psyched to do something and get involved and you can get others excited about contributing and participating too! That’s not really work though, that’s when it starts to be fun!

BI: What is the most memorable community opportunity you’ve been involved with through BI?

EB: The first time I sorted food at the Greater Boston Food Bank was pretty memorable. At the end of the day they read the total weight of the food sorted that day and how many families we fed. It was unreal! It was a bittersweet moment though—on the one hand wow, we fed a lot of families today, good job. On the other hand, wow, that’s a lot of unfed families.

BI: What are your future plans? Will your commitment to service affect what you will do in the future?

EB: I intend on continuing to volunteer when I can and give back as often as I can. I like the feeling I get volunteering and enjoy knowing I played a small part in making someone else’s day or situation a little bit better, so why not?

BI: Exactly our thoughts too! Thank you so much Erin, for sharing your story.