ABINGDON, Va. — Dozens of Appalachian Power Company (APCo) employees in the Glade Spring and Abingdon area volunteered with local children at the EO Discovery Camp in Abingdon, Virginia during the camp’s “Public Service Week.”

The camp is a five-week day camp for children ages 6 to12 where children explore technical career opportunities in the southwestern Virginia area.

“We have multiple departments here,” said Jake Holmes, APCo external affairs manager who was one of the many volunteers on hand. “From our lineworkers to our back-office folks. Everybody came together to show these kids what we have to offer.”

Holmes and Karen Gilmer, key account manager senior, coordinated the day, which included STEM-related crafts, outdoor activities with a line crew. During the craft session, children learned about the flow of electricity by making “Circuit Bugs” with batteries, LED lights and clothespins. Outside, students learned about bucket trucks, safety equipment, wires and transformers from the line crews.  

“We really want to show the kids that there are many opportunities for a meaningful career here,” said Gilmer. “Taking a small portion of our day to spend with these young people could change the entire trajectory of their lives.”

After a brief lunch break, the students were treated to a “Public Service Block Party,” where APCo transmission trucks and drone pilots, local fire and EMS trucks, VDOT bulldozers, a medical helicopter and more were available for the children to interact with.

Students were fascinated by the equipment, especially APCo’s drone fleet.

Both APCo employees and Ryan Henderson, workforce innovation program manager at EO, emphasized that opportunities like this would not be possible without a strong commitment to service and community.

“This kind of thing only works if the community is invested,” said Henderson. “Without that participation, without them thinking, ‘This is important to us for the future,’ then this doesn’t happen.”