Over 100 Abilene employees volunteered at the Abilene Zoo as part of AEP’s inaugural Week of Service. Employees embraced the initiative and brought family members to help the Abilene Zoological Society with various projects across the zoo. Over the span of three days, volunteers painted animal exhibits, collected food for the giraffes, cleared weeds from the monarch butterfly garden, and completed various landscaping projects such as mowing and cutting bamboo.

In total, volunteers completed over 450 hours of service for the zoo. External Affairs Manager Luke Roberson said he is thankful for the large number of volunteers and proud of their efforts.

“Our employees are so much more than just ‘storm responders.’ These men & women pour it out every day - not just during storm events. This is a great example of another way we are pouring out into our communities,” Roberson said. “I am very proud of them and have the highest respect for what they do each day. But this week, I am especially proud of their dedication to our community on a blue-sky day.”

Representatives from the zoo said they were grateful for AEP’s help because it gives employees more time to focus on the animals.