It’s been said if you choose a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. That sentiment certainly rings true for Ameristar Casino public relations manager Lori Burke.

Burke’s job primarily is to promote Ameristar Casino with the news media, but she also works with the charitable giving program, community outreach and government relations.

“Community outreach is probably the best part of my job,” she said. “It’s the part I’m most passionate about, just trying to help all of these organizations. A big part of that is helping them with public relations.”

Burke serves on the United Way’s board of directors, as press chairman for Miss Mississippi, as public relations director for Miss Mississippi’s Outstanding Teen, on the marketing committee for Vicksburg Catholic School, and she has worked with the Child and Parent Center, Crossway Church and various other local organizations.

“Writing news releases and social media is a big part of what I do,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for me to use my skill set to help organizations who can’t afford a marketing or public relations or social media person.”

Burke said she doesn’t always do everything for organizations, but she does spend time giving ideas and suggestions to help them brand themselves in the community.

“With volunteering, its such an opportunity to give back,” she said. “You may not think you have the skills that are needed to help some of these charities and organizations in our town, but you do. Your time is worth so much to these charities.”

Another big part of Burke’s job is encouraging Ameristar team members to go out and volunteer in the community.

“I can do a little bit with just Lori, but when I get all of these team members out in the community giving back and helping — what an incredible difference that makes in Vicksburg,” she said.

Burke said it is incredible that her employer allows her to not only give back through volunteer hours, but also give financially through charitable giving, helping to reach more people in the community.

Burke said she is always looking for ways for Ameristar to be able to give back.

“Serving on all these boards that I serve on, I get to see the needs in the community,” she said. “If I do see a need I’m going to be the first one to run to my boss and say so-and-so needs money, what can we do to help?”

There’s always something that can be done to help those in need, Burke said.

“There’s one word that’s not in my vocabulary, and that’s ‘no,’” she said. “I don’t want to hear ‘no’ because there is a way to make it happen and a way to make it work. I think using your relationships that you’ve build throughout the community you can find a way to make things happen for others.”

Burke said she has no personal agenda; she just wants to make her home a better place.

“I just want to help,” she said. “I want to make Vicksburg a better place. It’s important to me.”

Burke said she also brings her kids along to volunteer events because it’s important for her to raise civic-minded children.

“Your kids are what you show them,” she said. “If you show them that volunteering and giving back is important, they’ll make it a part of their life.”