Volunteering for a BPA-free Washington

Editors note: This post was written by Julie Corbin, one of WTC’s all-star volunteers. Julie lives in Seattle and owns and operates Sunflower Diaper Service!

On March 19, Governor Gregoire signed the Safe Baby Bottle Act into law, making Washington the second state to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in sports bottles and the fifth state to ban this harmful chemical in food containers meant for babies and small children.  

My modest contribution to the two-year effort to win this public health legislation began last year when my brother Pete and I chatted as we hiked in Mount Rainier National Park. He was sharing his ups and downs as a volunteer mentor with at-risk high school students when I piped up that I hoped to volunteer someday as well.  

“What’s stopping you?” he asked.  

Like a cold wind off the Tacoma Glacier, his question halted me in my tracks.  There I was, nearing 50, my daughter raised, my business perking along, yet deep inside I felt a need to make a lasting contribution.  

So I searched for volunteer opportunities, and discovered that Washington Toxics Coalition(WTC), an organization dedicated to protecting public health and the environment by eliminating toxic pollution, was asking for help, no experience required.  Off to a good start.  

After introducing myself to the small but accomplished staff of WTC, I was quickly trained and put to work phone banking a few hours in the evening, once a week during legislative session, asking voters to urge their legislators to support the Safe Baby Bottle Act.  I enjoyed meeting other like-minded volunteers, and got a kick out of talking with my legislators on Environmental Lobby Day.  

Passing this new law was no easy feat. Though my contribution was one small part of a much broader, concerted effort by WTC, doctors, nurses and many other organizations and dedicated volunteers, I feel rewarded with appreciation and the satisfaction of helping to bring about long-lasting, positive change.  

Now I am exploring what else I can do. I encourage friends to volunteer for whatever cause resonates for them. So if the thought ever idly crosses your mind to volunteer. I echo my brother’s question, what’s stopping you?