For years, Cory Felts served his country as a first sergeant in the United States Air Force, and when he retired, he knew he wanted to continue the practice of kindness. That value has manifested in a multitude of ways. Through Veterans for Veterans, Felts provides meal planning and support to local veterans. Through the Civil Air Patrol, he connects volunteers with the government and serves local youth, and through Brownwater Expeditions, he brings the experience of nature to both veterans and youth.
The Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer organization that often assists with search and rescue and disasters, has been a part of Felts’ life for some time. Eight of his family members are involved in the organization, including his parents, brothers, wife, and children. Felts has served in a variety of capacities during his 15 years of involvement. He has been the Kentucky activity command chief and the Great Lakes Region command chief and now serves as an adviser in government relations.
“We’ve truly enjoyed our experiences and the friendships developed with Civil Air Patrol,” Felts said. “It’s a very fulfilling activity and gives us something to do together.”
While the Civil Air Patrol has a long history of service stretching back to World War II, Veterans for Veterans and Brownwater Expeditions are nonprofits that Felts founded. In each instance, he saw a need in the community and was determined to do something about it.
In 2020, Felts was an outreach coordinator with homeless veterans, helping them with meal planning, housing, and employment. It was very fulfilling, Felts said, but there was more that could be done.
“We started Veterans for Veterans as a state nonprofit to augment the meal plans because, through my employer, we could only do so much,” Felts said. “But I felt that if I did a call to action within our community, we could do more.”
The organization was highly successful. In three years, they supplied over 4,500 meal kits to veterans and veteran households, each providing two weeks of meal assistance. Other organizations have since stepped up to help, but Veterans for Veterans is still working on providing for the local veteran community. Their work goes beyond just food — volunteers also look to serve veterans emotionally. A seven-member resiliency team of counselors and pastors gives veterans someone to talk to outside the home about any need, whether it is physical, spiritual, or emotional.
“Our homeless community had a need for sustenance — for food — and so I felt called to answer that,” Felts said. “I don’t have aspirations of it becoming a nationwide program; it’s a good local source.”
Veterans for Veterans works to maintain relationships with the people they serve, as well as local, state, and federal programs, so they can help direct people to where their needs can best be served.
“In the world we live in today, there [are] a lot of uncertainties, and we don’t want people to have to experience that alone,” Felts said. “[We] might not be able to put someone in a house today, but we can point them in the right direction.”
Brownwater Expeditions had a similar beginning — Felts saw a need in the community and resolved to find an answer. Last August, Felts chartered the nonprofit to educate youth about the outdoors and allow veterans an opportunity to experience the tranquility of the outdoors. Since its founding, Brownwater Expeditions has taken over 80 middle and high school children out on the water. Felts introduced Leave No Trace, wildlife education, safe river operation, and the history of the river system.
“Two or three days a week, I’m on the river, filling my time giving people a peace of mind that the river has to offer and doing a little bit of education,” Felts said.
Ultimately, Felts wants Brownwater to offer adventure camps to middle and high schoolers, introducing them to the water, local landmarks like Mammoth Cave, and astronomy. Even just one trip out on the water can boost someone’s confidence, and the character lessons learned help put life into perspective. The outdoors is a learning environment everyone can participate in, and Bowling Green is full of opportunities.
“You’re wanting to exercise more; you’re wanting to do more, but you’re afraid of where to start?” Felts said. “Well, walking is a good way to get moving and reengage with life because life is happening around us whether we want it to or not. So go out, walk the greenways, and [join] an organization like ours. We’ll take you out on the blueways and show you the beauty of our own community.” GN
