POWERGRAMS

To residents of Mulherin Custodial Home in Mobile, Sharon Murrill is family. Murrill feels the same: Mulherin residents are "chosen" family – not by genetic ties, but through a long relationship forged by caring. The Mulherin nonprofit provides ongoing residential care to people with developmental disabilities in a loving, home-like environment. Murrill helped Mulherin in myriad ways throughout her Alabama Power career. She has served hundreds of cupcakes at birthday parties, thrown "epic" Halloween shindigs, helped buy scores of Christmas gifts and assisted in procuring a wheelchair- accessible swing for residents. When Murrill retired in June with about 37 years of dedicated service, Alabama Power Manager Erin Delaporte arranged a breakfast meeting at the Mobile Division Office. Delaport invited Mulherin Activity and Development Coordinator Jamie Yerby and other Mulherin guests, all of whom honored Murrill. "I had to shed a few tears when they came in," said Murrill, who retired as Community Relations manager for Mobile Division. "It was the sweetest thing. "It was great. It was so much fun, and I was so surprised," she said. Mulherin residents made a video in Murrill's honor. Always glad to serve Yerby called Murrill "my No. 1 volunteer." Anytime Yerby needed assistance, Murrill makes herself available. For years, she has helped with Mulherin's fundraiser at Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile. Murrill led efforts to obtain an air conditioner for Mulherin's kitchen and worked with the Alabama Power Foundation to obtain the specially designed wheelchair swing. Yerby, who has worked at Mulherin since 2013, said, "I know for a fact that I can call Sharon today and tell her, 'Hey, we need this – do you know anybody,' and she would somehow get whatever we needed. "Supplies or whatever, during COVID, she was the first person I reached out to when we had our first cases. … It was so hard for us to get supplies, like everybody else, and I said, 'If you know anybody who has extra gloves, bleach or antiviral spray or anything.' When we went to the store, we could only get two of something even though we had 27 residents. So, it was a struggle for us," Yerby said. "I sent her that email and not even an hour later, she was parked outside with literally a carload of supplies for us." That servant leader mindset earned Murrill the Alabama Power Service Organization's (APSO) 2024 Patsy Topazi Award for distinguished volunteerism. "I've been very blessed," Murrill said. "Had it not been for Alabama Power, I would have never connected with these organizations. When I first hired on with the company, I didn't volunteer anywhere." She experienced a "turnaround" in life when she began volunteering with APSO. "It's funny when you try something like that, you realize what your passions are." Others center in Murrill's retirement The one thing Murrill won't retire from is helping Mulherin residents. "I will continue to help with the birthday parties at Mulherin Home, no doubt about that," she said. "Those organizations that I've really got a close bond with, you just can't stop doing that. They call me by name. … I can't break those ties. I've got too much love and compassion for those folks." She and her husband, Chuck Murrill, an avid golfer, look forward to upcoming trips to Ireland and Maui. They plan more time with their three grandchildren, daughter Kelly and her husband, Ross. "I'm not going away from the volunteer world," Murrill said, with a huge smile. She will join the Mobile Chapter of Energizers, the company's service arm for retirees, after completing her duties as chairman of the board for the city of Semmes Chamber of Commerce and president of the Southwest Mobile County Chamber. Her giving back continued July 27, when Murrill and the Southwest Mobile County Chamber hosted Kids' Day. With Mobile APSO members, they gave backpacks filled with school supplies to children in Tillmans Corner, an area with many homeless. In summer 2023, they handed out nearly 1,700 backpacks. This year, Murrill said, they had enough food prepared so that all the children had a meal. "So, literally, if it were not for this event, kids would not have the bookbags they need to start school," she said. Kim Savage, coordinator of Alabama Power's employee and retiree service groups, said, "Sharon Murrill is a perfect example of how much Alabama Power cares about this state and the people in it. The company puts people in positions to make Alabamians' lives better and makes it easy for employees to serve our communities through APSO. "The company even continues that same support in retirement with the Energizers," Savage added. "This truly is a great place to work and serve." Thankful to be able to continue in her role of community service, Murrill said, "I truly have a passion for helping those who are less fortunate. … And I truly feel like we are here to bless and give back to others. There is something that we can do to add a little bit of laughter, life and maybe even a smile or a hug to those that may not get that on a regular basis." By Donna Cope Retiree Sharon Murrill calls volunteerism 'turnaround' in life and will continue serving 4 Murrill was honored by the city of Semmes.

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