POWERGRAMS

14 APSO members bring comfort and joy in communities across the state at the holidays Hundreds of members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) brightened the holiday season by delivering gifts and helping cheer the less fortunate. During what proved to be an extremely difficult time for nonprofits in the pandemic, APSO members served as ombudsmen to help communities. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, APSO's nine chapters shone a light and lent joy to communities by supplying hundreds of meals, gifts for underprivileged children and assisting families in need. Serving as Santa's helpers during the most special time of the year, Plant Barry APSO members merrily went about helping the needy. Sharon Meier, Barry APSO president, said that chapter members worked throughout the year to provide gifts for disadvantaged families at Christmas. This past fall, members held their 34th annual E.R. Covington Golf Tournament, raising more than $30,000. About 20 Barry volunteers worked to make the tournament a success. Meier called the tournament her favorite APSO project because it allows the group to buy Christmas gifts for children and make their holidays memorable. Two weeks after the tourney, Barry volunteers spent Nov. 19 shopping for gifts for 100 children in foster care, sponsored by the Mobile County Department of Human Resources (DHR). Barry APSO members bought about 25 dolls, 25 board games and toys for children ages 4 through 13 who attend Maryvale Elementary School in Mobile. "Every child deserves a merry Christmas," Meier said. "We had many vendors who provided food and drinks. It almost felt like life was back to normal." In December, Barry APSO took part in the Salvation Army's Contribution Breakfast, making donations to several nonprofits. When teachers at Semmes Middle School needed kitchen appliances for helping children learn life skills, Barry volunteers came through, delivering a washer and dryer and a stove. Longtime Barry APSO chair Stacy Simmons and other members delivered turkey dinners to less fortunate families on Christmas Eve. Simmons annually "counts it all joy" while driving to homes, carrying turkeys, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls, milk and dessert. This year, Simmons was caught off-guard Nov. 18 as she and APSO members took donations at Plant Barry's gate for holiday dinners. "One gentleman came through and asked what it was for and told me that two years ago, he'd received one of our dinners when he had surgery, and was struggling and out of work," said Simmons, Employee Development coordinator. "He was so gracious, and it really touched my heart. I saw this project come full circle." Gaston APSO President Tabetha Lemonds led a group of merry "elves" in shopping at Walmart in Sylacauga Dec. 6. APSO members raised money for their "Christmas Wish" shopping extravaganza through the annual golf tournament in May and clay shoot in August. Lemonds was thrilled with the success of the golf tournament: "We almost made enough to cover Christmas shopping completely." The event was so successful, Gaston APSO provided gifts for nearly 200 children sponsored through nine groups, including DHRs in Chilton, Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega counties. Gaston APSO collected food for two months for Heavenly Smile food pantry in Chelsea. In November, members volunteered at the Coosa Valley Healthcare Center nursing home, helping seniors at their Turkey Ball. Many Eastern APSO volunteers kicked off the holidays by ensuring the less fortunate enjoyed Thanksgiving. Project chair Dana McFarland led volunteers who shopped for canned goods to fill the pantry at Community Enabler Developer in Anniston. The organization provides emergency assistance – food, clothing and utilities – to people in need. About 15 Eastern APSO volunteers worked at Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Batter Up Bistro to package meals for Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement before delivering the food to homes. APSO gave a donation and volunteers bought gifts for children served through the St. Clair County DHR. Southern Division APSO members assisted ACTS – the Association of Christians in Tallassee for Services – by providing food and clothing for families in need at Christmas. Southern APSO supported the BigHouse Foundation, shopping for and donating toys for foster children and families. Numerous employees of Plant Franklin helped with the project, raising about $2,000 to purchase toys. Jessica Mitchell, accounting assistant in the Auburn Office, has chaired several volunteer efforts for BigHouse. Members delivered toys and other items Dec. 8. PHOTO BY BILLY BROWN PHOTO BY BILLY BROWN

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