Toni Reece: Hi there. This is Toni Reece, and welcome to the Get Inspired! Project for Berks County Living Magazine. Today I have Heather Baker with me. Welcome.
Heather Pendergast-Baker: Thank you.
Toni: I’m so happy you’re here.
Heather: Me too.
Toni: On this very chilly, bright and early morning, right?
Heather: Yes.
Toni: My goodness. Alright, Heather. Take a moment and tell us a little bit about yourself.
Heather: Sure. My name is Heather. I’m originally from North Carolina. I’ve been in Berks County 20 years. I’m new to Berks County Living, and I love it. Love working with Robyn and Nikki. It’s a great magazine for this area. I am a mom of three boys, happily married, and I live in Wyomissing.
Toni: Fantastic. Alright, let’s go into the Project, okay?
Heather: Okay, great.
Toni: What does inspiration mean to you?
Heather: This was a good question, and it really made me think. What it means is what for me sets my soul on fire. It’s what digs deep. That’s been good to think about. What makes me want to do something?
Toni: I love the phrase, “Set your soul on fire.” Do you know when that happens? Do you know, “Oh my gosh, right now I am inspired?”
Heather: Yes. I think it’s awesome when that happens. You think, “I have to do something. This is a call to action. This is exciting.” It’s anything that gets me fired up. Gosh, there’s so many things that can do that, but yes, I do know.
Toni: Have you been inspired recently?
Heather: Well, yes. This season inspires me. I love Christmastime. It’s inspiring when you hear about people giving and stepping out for others; putting others before themselves. I love Christmas. I’m inspired all season right now.
Toni: Oh, that’s a very good place to be inspired. I do as well. Nothing beats walking into a very, very calm Christmassy environment, right?
Heather: Right, right.
Toni: So, how do you take that soul on fire moment when you’re inspired and put that into practice here in Berks County?
Heather: Well, ongoing I am involved with Opportunity House. I have a heart for people who might be down on their luck, and for children who are hungry or need a home. I got involved in their fundraiser, Wine, Women & Shoes. Believe it or not, we work on it kind of year-round, so even though the event isn't happening, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff happening. I put a lot of time and energy into that for that cause, because I just love what they do over there. That’s probably the primary thing. I volunteer here and there where I can. That’s the most specific thing, but at schools or the food bank when I have time. Anything that is good and positive happening in the community to help people in need, I like to help if I can.
Toni: Was there a moment when you knew you were inspired and you thought, “I never thought I’d be doing this, but I’m doing this because it set my soul on fire?”
Heather: Oh, that’s a good question. Well, I don’t know that I ever thought I would be still involved in that particular fundraiser. I thought, “Oh, I’ll do this one year, and then I’ll do something else.” I loved it so much and what it did for the people in need at Opportunity House that I just couldn’t not do it. Probably I’m surprised that I’m still involved as much as I am in that particular fundraiser.
Toni: But that’s so cool, because people that are involved in events like that or helping nonprofits that are not inspired, that can be a real drag.
Heather: That’s true.
Toni: So, the fact that you are and you’re still at the table, I think that’s a pretty cool thing.
Heather: As I’m thinking about it, it’s the group of women who come together to make this event happen. There’s so many moving parts to it. You feed off that energy, and then they inspire me to keep going. Then, you think, “This was such a cool experience. It’s exhausting and wonderful and awesome.” You can't wait to do it the next year. You just get so inspired.
Toni: There you go. I would imagine that you’ve had to inspire some new people that have shown up at the table.
Heather: It’s true. Yes.
Toni: So, you’re also then paying it forward.
Heather: Well, I hope so. You try to, but I don’t know.
Toni: Who in Berks County inspires you?
Heather: This was a great question and tender to my heart. Right away, I think of my three boys. They inspire me every day. They’ve inspired me to keep going. They inspire me by their tenacity, their willpower, their perseverance. They’re amazing. I’m so proud of them: how far they’ve come, everything they go through, and they keep going. I also have to say that I’m inspired by the people that God brings in my life who either encourage me to keep going, or I learn about their experiences and how they haven't given up. People who just keep going. That is amazing to me how people don’t give up in spite of circumstances or whatever happens in their life. It’s amazing. People can be amazing.
Toni: Well, I mean, look at the work you’re doing with Opportunity House. Those people have to keep going as well, right?
Heather: It’s true. Yes.
Toni: If your children inspire you because they keep going, it seems to me like you surround yourself with that.
Heather: Well, I guess I have.
Toni: So, what would you like your legacy to be?
Heather: Oh my gosh. That’s such a huge question. I hope that I leave a legacy of kindness. I hope I leave a legacy that’s a trail of love for helping others, for not being afraid to get involved and put other people’s needs before my own. I hope when my children think about doing something for other people, they’ll think of me.
Toni: Well, as I say many, many times in these interviews, you are living your legacy now. Surrounding yourself, doing the work, inspired by people, and paying it forward. That’s all we can do, isn't it?
Heather: It is. That’s awesome.
Toni: Yes, it really is. So, thank you for doing what you’re doing, and showing up for the Project today.
Heather: Yeah. Thank you for having me.
Toni: You’re welcome.
