ASHLAND, Ky. (WSAZ) -- Marion Russell, our latest Hometown Hero, is literally making the holidays brighter for thousands of folks.

In Russell’s case, there may be 800,000 reasons why the city of Ashland worker should have been nominated as Hometown Hero. That's the number of light bulbs in the 65 Winter Wonderland of Lights displays that circle Central Park.

It takes months to get them ready, not to mention 24/7 maintenance once they’re lit. And as the long time volunteer chairman of this illuminating project, Russell leads by example.

With every successful project, there's one person who has a passion above all others, and that's the case here,” said Jim Purgerson with the Super Ashland Alliance.

Russell loves a party any time of year, not necessarily to party, but to volunteer his services to make sure those attending Ashland’s Summer Motion Festival, Pogue Landing Days and many other civic activities have the best time ever.

“I can almost say we couldn’t do without him,” Pogue Landing Days Chairman Phil Stewart said about Russell.

Russell described his passion: “I love Christmas, and people have been so responsive to the Winter Wonderland of Lights,” he said. “And I love to help in any way I can whenever I can to make things better for my community.”