When Bert Fisher moved to Fort Lauderdale in 2010, after spending most of his career as a designer, he began looking for new pursuits. He eventually got a part-time job with the city of Wilton Manors, but still had time on his hands. That’s when his family and friends in the area told him about Poverello and the important work it was doing for the HIV/AIDS community. Wanting to give back and “do something productive,” as he put it, Bert came to Poverello in 2012 and started working part-time. In 2015, Bert accepted a full-time position with Wilton Manors, but he never stopped coming in to volunteer his time. His dedication to the Poverello mission continues to this day, as he still comes in and works as a cashier in the Thrift Store every Sunday, giving half his weekend to “the cause.”

Bert is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Building Construction degree from the UF College of Design, Construction and Planning. He was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but grew up in Orlando. After graduating from college, he spent 18 years working in Orlando, designing homes that his father constructed in a design/build business. He also spent seven years in Atlanta working as a designer during this period. And then, in 2010, he relocated to Fort Lauderdale to be closer to his family. “My family is very important to me,” he related. Bert’s father retired to Fort Lauderdale, and he also has two brothers and sister living in the area.

From the very start of his involvement, Bert was impressed with the way the Poverello organization worked. Not only was he impressed with the level of dedication shown by the staff and volunteers, but also with the quality of the products and services that Poverello provides to its program participants. He was also amazed at the generosity of people who donate items to the Thrift Store.

“I enjoy working as a cashier, as it gives me the opportunity to interact with our customers,” he remarked. He pointed out that many are first time customers, and that they sometimes comment about what a great place it is, and about the vast selection and quality of items at the shop. “When I hear this I often ask if they know what Poverello is all about. Many of them don’t,” he continued, “so I give them an overview in the hopes they’ll pass the information on to their family and friends. Most are amazed to learn what goes on here,” he said.

Bert also remarked on how much he enjoys working with the volunteers. “It’s a real diverse group,” he commented. “Volunteers are here for a variety of reasons, and they come from so many different backgrounds,” he continued. “It’s a lot of fun working here, which is why, I guess, I keep coming back for more. Poverello is a great mechanism for a common cause,” he observed.

            “If every American donated five hours a week, it would equal the labor of

              twenty million full-time volunteers.”    – Whoopi Goldberg

[fts_facebook type=page id=1019663828069038 posts=3 posts_displayed=page_only] [fts_instagram instagram_id=306310494 pics_count=9 type=user profile_wrap=no] [fts_twitter twitter_name=@HungerFighter tweets_count=3 cover_photo=no stats_bar=no show_retweets=no show_replies=no]