Budlong Provides Gumbo Limbo's Welcoming Face

A fortuitous suggestion for a grandmother/grandson adventure, a shared birthday, and a common hometown led to a new calling for Sue Budlong. 

Shortly after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Budlong's daughter, Audra, suggested to Sue that a trip to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center with grandson Jackson would make for a fine outing.

A South Florida resident for more than three decades, Budlong had never visited Gumbo Limbo.

“I noticed that Gordon Gilbert, who was the founder of this nature preserve, was from Akron, Ohio, and that's where I'm from - and we share the same birthday,” Budlong said. “He's obviously older than I am, but it was almost a sign from the universe, saying this would be a great place to volunteer because I love nature and I love sea life.”

Now, two days per week Budlong provides the smiling face that welcomes visitors to Gumbo Limbo.

“I like the front desk because I like to greet people,” Budlong said. “I like to give them information on what this property is all about, what the Nature Center does for the sea life and for the environment and so forth. I like interacting with visitors. It's amazing how many people from all over the world that we get here.”

Budlong is more than simply an excellent greeter. She's doing such a good all-around job, Gumbo Limbo named her its 2024 Volunteer of the Year.

Gumbo Limbo volunteer coordinator Amy Kucken oversees Gumbo Limbo's 170 volunteers. She uses the words “kind” and “generous” when describing Budlong.

“Her presentation at the front desk as she's going through the map talk is consistent,” Kucken said. “It's very on-point. And then she will also pivot to personalize it as each group of people is coming in. She's also is great out at the aquariums.”

Budlong spent 35 years working for the America Automobile Association before retiring. She's nearing her four-year anniversary as a Gumbo Limbo volunteer.

“She is so dedicated to Gumbo Limbo,” Kucken said. “She'll come in whenever we need her. She's here before all of our events, helping out. She's really instrumental in a lot of programs that we do, just keeping us going. She brings us beautiful, handmade shell decor from her collections. She's just an asset to have as a volunteer.”

When she began at Gumbo Limbo, Budlong helped with the salt water tanks, informing visitors about the sea life contained within. Budlong bonded with the resident sea turtles – Morgan, Lady McNubbins, and Lefty - that live in the Gumbo Limbo tanks.

While she likes working at the front desk in large part because it's in an air conditioned building (who can blame her?), Budlong still makes time to visit her turtle friends.

“They're like pets,” Budlong said. “I don't have a cat and a dog, but they know. When I'm talking to Lefty, I'll say 'Lefty, Hi!', he'll pull his head up and take a breath.”

Budlong doesn't know how much longer she'll continue to volunteer at Gumbo Limbo, but there isn't an end-date in sight.

“It's an amazing park,” Budlong said. “It's an amazing nature center. The staff is amazing. They appreciate their volunteers so much that it's just a great place to be. And it just fills my heart and soul when the visitors come in. I like to educate them as much as I can about our property.”

Her personal touch imparts a welcoming joy on visitors and staffers alike.

“ I just think that Sue's just so special to us here at Gumbo Limbo because she is more than a volunteer,” Kucken said. “She's definitely become a friend to all the staff, to many other volunteers, and she's definitely a big part of our team.”