When Sister Irene O’Neill, CSJ thinks about Margaret and Jim Burt, she can’t help but reflect on their energy and passion. “They are incredibly fun people and have a deep commitment to rolling up their sleeves and getting involved—whether building a successful company or supporting Sisters Rising Worldwide,” says Sister Irene.
Jim and Margaret have built two thriving businesses, Reclaim Center Inc. and We Are Nuts, over nearly four decades. Their entrepreneurial journey included humbly hand-bagging nut orders late at night and delivering them to offices. It is that same humble spirit that inspires them about the entrepreneurial work of the Sisters. “They’re right there on the ground, doing the hard work, meeting needs in their communities,” remarks Jim.
The couple has deep connections to the Sisters of St. Joseph in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they live. Educated by Sisters and shaped by their values, Jim and Margaret immediately recognized the transformative potential of Sister Irene’s vision when learning about Sisters Rising Worldwide from their dear friend, Ward Brehm. “They’re the ‘get-it-done’ people,” Jim explains. “What’s better than ten nuns? How about 650,000 nuns!”
For Margaret, the Sisters’ approach is refreshingly practical. “It’s just common sense,” she says. “These solutions don’t require millions of dollars but have a profound, multiplying effect…like the Sister who needed a van to help girls go to school safely instead of walking miles to fetch water or be at risk of being trafficked. Jim agrees: “Those young women will go on to make a difference in their communities. It’s the multiplying effect of giving to SRW. You can see the impact firsthand,” Jim says, adding, “The Sisters are fearless warriors doing what we all should be doing – helping the needy, the poor, and the downtrodden.”
Their admiration for the Sisters’ work is rooted in their faith and values. Margaret’s grandfather taught her to give half of everything she has, a principle she and Jim strive to live up to. Jim recalls Sister Mary Eugene, who educated him in sixth grade, teaching him the value of compassion and second chances. “Those lessons stayed with me,” he says. “The Sisters remind me that the little things we say and do daily make the biggest difference.”
Margaret and Jim know that giving is about more than just money; it’s also about trust, accountability, and impact. “We trust Sister Irene and the Sisters,” Margaret says. “The vetting process and impact reporting SRW does to ensure that the resources contributed are used effectively is important.” Jim adds, “God will take care of the results. You just need to find it in your heart to give.”
In addition to their financial support, Jim and Margaret lend their expertise and insights as part of SRW’s “Kitchen Cabinet,” an advisory group that helps ensure SRW’s impactful work continues to grow. To anyone considering getting involved with Sisters Rising Worldwide, Margaret has a simple suggestion: “Just meet Sister Irene, and you will know!” Jim and Margaret both speak about Sisters and Sisters Rising Worldwide with passion and conviction. “It’s easy to talk about something when you’ve seen the impact and understand the mission,” Margaret explains. “The beauty is in the simplicity of it—meeting real needs in real-time – such as the Sisters who needed water buckets to give women more time for education– so simple!”
Outside their business and philanthropic efforts, Jim and Margaret cherish time with their family, including their three grown sons, who run the family business, and eight beloved grandchildren. Their entire family loves basketball, as most have played and coached it in some capacity. Jim and Margaret also love sailing and water sports on the lake at their Minnesota lake home.
Jim and Margaret are a testament to the power of faith, hard work, and generosity. Their dedication to supporting the Sisters reminds us all that giving isn’t just about resources—it’s about rolling up your sleeves, believing in the mission, and sharing the impact.
You, too, can join Jim and Margaret in empowering the fearless, compassionate work of 650,000 Sisters worldwide. By supporting Sisters Rising Worldwide, you can be part of the multiplying impact of the Sisters that lifts communities and transforms lives. Support Sisters Rising Worldwide to help the Sisters begin 2025 strong, and contact Sister Irene O’Neill to learn more about how you can be involved.
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