Bill Burg is SPAAR Hero!

Armed with a box of business cards, a multi-line phone and a phone book, Bill Burg got started in the real estate industry. Today, 50 years later, including more than four decades with Edina Realty, he’s still an active Realtor® in the Highland Park office where he helps clients in their home ventures and gives back to organizations throughout the greater St. Paul community.

In fact, Bill’s volunteer resume is a long one, both in the number of organizations in which he gives his time and the duration of time he’s put into so many of them, which made honoring him as SPAAR Hero an easy decision.

“Jump in! Don’t just dab a foot in the water,” proclaimed Bill about volunteering. His parents instilled this value in him at a young age, and he’s been volunteering ever since.

Bill is a 35-year volunteer with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and served in the Royal Family in 1992; he’s now part of the West-Winds Alumni group. He can be spotted in Winter Carnival parades in his Western cowboy gear, and he values the connections he’s made through his many experiences.

In fact, Bill’s first time dressing up as a cowboy for a parade was at eight years old, creating a full-circle moment when he repeated the theme for the Winter Carnival.

Beyond the Winter Carnival, Bill is a 30-year volunteer with Osman Shrine and, most recently, Bill serves on the REALTORS® Charitable Foundation’s Board of Directors where he’s active in the current planning of the upcoming Poured with Purpose fundraiser on September 14 and reminds SPAAR members that, “all are welcome and should attend this fun event!”

Finally, Bill is a 14-year volunteer with Safe Summer Nights, a collaboration with the St. Paul Police Department and St. Paul Recreation Centers to improve relationships between the police and the community – especially children – with meetups every Thursday throughout the summer.

Many of the young volunteers who have participated in the program have gone on to serve as Community Scouts, Police Explorers and or become officers themselves.

Bill grew up in Highland Park where he continues to live and work today. He’s the proud dad of two daughters and a granddad of four.

Congratulations, Bill, on being named a SPAAR Hero!

SPAAR Hero is a program of SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee and sponsored by the REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. Members of SPAAR’s Communications Committee interview and write the SPAAR Hero articles, including this interview by Jenni Bauer.