Member Spotlight: Abir

When Abir joined Civitan in March 2022, he brought with him a long-standing passion for service and a deep desire to make a positive impact in the Triangle. Volunteering has been part of his life since high school, when he was involved in National Honor Society, and that commitment never faded as he moved into adulthood.

Abir first learned about Civitan through longtime friends Jeff and Kathy, who encouraged him to join after hearing about his interest in continuing community service beyond college. The connection felt natural. He had already spent years volunteering through Circle K International at NC State—a collegiate service organization within the Kiwanis family—where he served as Vice President of Membership for three and a half years.

Favorite Volunteer Event

While Abir has participated in many Civitan events, one that stands out most is a newer addition to the calendar: the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Mobile Market.

Even though the club has only volunteered twice so far, it left a lasting impression. The first time, the timing struck a chord with Abir. The Mobile Market took place during a period of uncertainty, when many families were facing anxiety over potential cuts to SNAP benefits.

“Seeing a local church step up to help fill the gap—providing food directly to people in need—was powerful,” Abir said.

For Abir, the event represented something bigger than volunteering for a few hours. It was about standing up against injustice and supporting the community when it needed it most.

Over the Edge—and Out of His Comfort Zone

Abir’s favorite memory as a Civitan member? Over the Edge, without question.

If you had known him when he was younger, you might not have pegged him as someone eager to rappel down a building. By his own admission, he wasn’t always the bravest person. But something about the moment—and the cause—pushed him to try something completely outside his comfort zone.

In 2024, Abir stepped off the side of the 19-story Pendo building in downtown Raleigh, rappelling all the way down in support of Special Olympics North Carolina.

He still laughs when he casually mentions it—because it’s not every day you can say you rappelled down a skyscraper.

A Kayak, a River, and an Unexpected Find

One of the events Abir is most proud of didn’t even start as a formal Civitan sign-up. Another member shared it in Discord: Loose on the Neuse. Intrigued, Abir decided to give it a try.

He expected a trail cleanup. What he got instead was a river cleanup—by kayak.It was Abir’s first time kayaking, and while there were a few comical crashes, he managed to stay upright the entire time.

As volunteers paddled down the Neuse River collecting trash from the water and riverbanks, Abir made the day’s most unique find: a lacrosse stick. Since it was still usable, another volunteer asked if they could take it—and Abir was more than happy to pass it along rather than see it thrown away.

By the end of the day, he had learned how to kayak on the fly, helped clean one of the Triangle’s main freshwater sources, and experienced a form of service he’d never tried before.

Why We’re Glad Abir Is Part of Civitan

From food justice to environmental cleanup to stepping off the edge of a building, Abir brings curiosity, courage, and conviction to everything he does. His passion for service—and his willingness to try something new—make him a valued member of the Triangle Young Professionals Civitan Club.