Name: Julie Fisher
Company: Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Board Service: 2 years
Current Board Position: Secretary
What inspired you to get involved in Keep Austin Beautiful?
Back in 2012, I began leading Clean Sweep for my company, Samsung Austin Semiconductor. It was my first experience organizing a volunteer opportunity for Keep Austin Beautiful and I was overwhelmed by the turnout! We had 125 Samsung employees, friends, and family clean up Zilker Park and the surrounding areas. I was inspired by the interest and continued to explore other volunteer opportunities, which lead me to become a Clean Lady Bird Lake site leader. Since then I have joined the Board of Directors and am currently serving in the secretary role.
What has been a standout moment or memory for you as a site leader at Lady Bird Lake?
One of my favorite Clean Lady Bird Lake experiences is watching the site change over the “four” seasons. Since I visit the site every other month, I love watching the view change — from orange leaves to no leaves, flowers to brush — it’s never the same.”
What has been the most unique object you have had found during a cleanup?
A voodoo doll with a real photo, pins, and string attached. The doll even had a malicious note on the back! At the end of the cleanup when we were comparing the most unique pieces of trash, there was no contest of what was the most unique item found. Our only dilemma was what to do with the doll in the end… ”
What do you find inspiring about Clean Sweep?
The diversity of people that it attracts. Kids, adults, elders, dogs, new and old volunteers—there is always a great mix of people who are there for the common goal of beautifying our city. It is very gratifying to look at the amount of trash and recycling bags at the end of a cleanup and feel a sense of pride knowing an immediate impact has been made to our Austin community.
What is your favorite moment from Clean Sweeps past?
Doing the bio blitz dance at the volunteer after party. What is a successful event without a dance party!?
How should volunteers prepare for helping during Clean Sweep?
Come with a good attitude, comfortable shoes, and Keep Austin Beautiful will bring the rest. I highly recommend attending the after party for great food, prizes, and activities!
If you could have any celebrity join you in a cleanup, who would it be?
Jimmy Fallon. I would laugh the entire time and love to play pranks on other people. Hopefully we’d break out in a dance and singing competition, too.
Register to volunteer for Clean Sweep 2016 happening on Saturday, April 9th. The not-to-be missed volunteer after party is from 11AM to 1:30PM at Fiesta Gardens, 2100 Jesse E. Segovia St.
