In a world where spare time is often scarce, the act of giving back can transform us and our communities. Recently, Fescue Burton, workplace services supervisor, was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award from Carter Caves State Resort Park. His journey highlights the impact of volunteerism and the joy it can bring.
Fescue Burton, workplace services supervisor, was named "Volunteer of the Year" by Carter Caves State Resort Park.
Since joining AEP in 2001, Burton has traveled across multiple states, working in various sites and at different power plants. He said he was always on the road until he joined Workplace Services in 2021. That's when he finally found time to really engage with the Carter Caves State Resort Park community.
"We live just a mile away in the house where I grew up," Burton said. "The bus ride to school from my house was like a scenic tour of the park each morning, and my mom worked at the Welcome Center until she retired. To me, Carter Caves is home."
Burton and his wife are lifetime members of the non-profit group, Friends of Carter Caves, where they participate in volunteer work that supports the park. He's also used his crafty skills to design and build creative contributions to the park.
“We meet monthly to discuss upcoming events at the park, where we can fill gaps with funds, volunteers to support whatever is needed or initiatives we’d like to work on,” said Burton. “Last year, I suggested that the park needed some photo opportunities and thought a set of bat wings would be a start."
Using repurposed plywood, he constructed these wings, which have become a popular attraction. Burton plans to continue expanding the wings project, which was inspired by Bat Cave, the largest cave in the park that serves as the home of an estimated 40,000 Indiana bats called Myotis that hibernate there in the winter.
Burton stands in front of the bat wings backdrop he created for Carter Caves State Resort Park.
In addition to sharing his creative skills with the park, Burton also helps organize events, such as the annual Winter Adventure Weekend (WAW). He said he just does “whatever is needed,” demonstrating his willingness to help. His volunteer spirit also inspired him to create a Facebook group called, Friends of Tygart Creek, where he organized cleanup efforts in collaboration with the Carter County Tourism Commission.
“Carter Caves allowed us to use a private entrance they had to access Tygart Creek,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in community projects.
Looking forward, Burton wants to promote volunteerism throughout his community. As the newly appointed Chairman of the Carter County Tourism Commission, he expressed his vision:
"My hope for 2025 is to inspire others to find the same type of joy I have found through volunteering."