POWERGRAMS

21 21 Top: At Oak Mountain Ministries, Larry LeCroy presents check to Roddy Cooper. Below, Johnny Gunn and Edgar Archie present check for Serving You Ministries. For James Glover and many other Energizers, COVID-19 has affected more aspects of life than health. He said the virus has stifled the work done by the company's service arm of Southern Company retirees in Alabama. An admitted "people person," Glover said the "forced lack of contact with his Energizers family" and his own family members has been difficult to handle. "We're just waiting to get out again. Once the Corporate Office gives the OK, we'll be back out in the community, meeting in person," said the Energizers' president-elect, who is learning the ropes of leadership by helping state Energizers President Becky York. "It's been a little frustrating, because we felt like we haven't been able to plan things," added Glover, a member of the Eastern Division Energizers since he retired in March 2011. The past few months, several Energizer groups – Birmingham Division, Corporate, Jasper and Southern – have held Zoom meetings to stay in touch with members. Glover and Birmingham Division Chapter President Libba Ellison have listened in on other chapters' meetings to gain insights about community service projects. When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state of Alabama give full permission, Energizers plan to begin serving once again. On April 7, York led Energizers in their first-ever Energizers State Board meeting via Zoom. York said that meeting on an electronic format offers new possibilities. On Zoom, Health and Wellbeing Advocate Cindy Freeman told the leaders about changes to the Medicare Advantage health care program, effective Jan. 1, 2021, for post-65 retirees. For more than eight years, Freeman has worked with Energizers leaders across the six divisions to help retirees with their health care questions. "Alabama Power cares about its retirees and has people in place to help retirees," Freeman said. "My role is to provide resources, both within and outside the company, to help retirees navigate through the complex health care system and help provide them with quality health care. It's an honor to work with our Energizers, who are active, informed and do so much philanthropic work for our communities." The chance to build his community was the reason Glover decided to attend his first Energizers meeting. Upon retirement in March 2011, Glover hesitated to join the retiree service organization. But finding that he really enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie of former co- workers – and the chance to meet more retirees from around Alabama – Glover was hooked. "It's just the fulfillment and gratitude of being around people who worked for the company," Glover said. Through Energizers, Glover finds satisfaction in supporting the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the group's state project. Since 1992, he has volunteered in ENERGIZERS READY FOR PANDEMIC'S END AND A RETURN TO COMMUNITY SERVICE ENERGIZERS

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