Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1046201
48 The Southeast/Farley Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) hosted its second annual soball tournament to fund food on the weekends for 10 children in Phenix City through the Backpack Buddies program. Kami NeSmith, customer service representative, Phenix City, coordinated the event. About 17 APSO volunteers handled everything from working in concessions to serving as umpires to seing up and hauling food for the tourney. Greene County Steam Plant employees donated funds to buy books for 75 teachers and children at Westside Elementary School. Greene County APSO subchapter members volunteered at Westside Elementary during September, allowing teachers to have a free 20-minute lunch period. Greene County APSO also provided a donation to the Canebrake Players in Demopolis to help build a handicap-access ramp for the theater. Glenda Thomas, manager of Supplier Relations and Diversity, was named 2018 Advocate of the Year by the Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council. Founded in 1973, the council assists corporations with developing, enhancing and expanding minority vendor programs by integrating minority business enterprises into the purchasing mainstream. Thomas won for spearheading innovative supplier diversity initiatives and identifying internal contract opportunities. Kudos to William "Bubba" Hicks, an apprentice at the General Shops, for using "out-of-the-box" thinking to solve a problem on the job. He repaired a Steel Shop saw using bearings from a fidget spinner he had in his car. This allowed the shop to continue production until the needed part arrived. The Valley Subchapter of Southeast/Farley APSO donated toiletries to Circle of Care, which provides education, resources and support to families in need in the Chambers County and Valley area. Items donated included shampoo, lotion, mouthwash, deodorant and body wash. APSO members plan to continue donating items quarterly, said Lisa Roberts, Valley/Langdale customer service representative who coordinated the effort. Darius Brown, Ozark Office, was commended by customer Regina Wilson for providing exceptional service. Wilson called to say that she appreciates that Brown, customer service representative, is always "so pleasant and courteous" when she visits the office, and she wanted to let "folks know that he is doing a good job." Thumbs Up! APSO sponsored softball tournament to raise funds. Retiree Tom Mueller and his wife, Donna, recently visited Helsinki, Finland, where they visited Helsinki Cathedral, also known as St. Nicholas' Church, in the capital city. The Muellers were there at the same time President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were meeting nearby. Postcards to Powergrams