Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/175902
EDUCATION Backpack to School Magic City APSO helps students with supplies departments donated folders, pencils, notebook paper and hand sanitizer. APSO members then stuffed backpacks with the supplies. Beginning Aug. 14, about 25 volunteers hosted five separate backpack giveaways. Students at West End Academy, Glen Iris, Barrett, Tuggle and South Hampton elementary schools received the backpacks just in time for the first day of school. "I am so glad to be a part of an organization that has a real passion for kids and schools," said Dickinson. "It's through APSO that we are really able to connect with the community and be a positive presence. We want to show that there is more to Alabama Power, and this project was a great way for us to make an impact on a need that is so great." For more information about how to get involved with APSO, visit http://corporateinfo.southernco.com/associations/apso/ default.html. By Allison Westlake Photos by Bill Snow The Alabama Power Service Organization's Magic City Chapter made an impact on some Birmingham students as they went back to school. The Magic City volunteers gave more than 500 backpacks full of new school supplies to children in need. Those employees were among many assisting education projects statewide. The idea for the project began when APSO Magic City partnered with the Rotaract Club of Birmingham in 2012, assisting with a joint school supply drive. "Education is one of our focus areas for 2013, and we wanted to make a school supply drive our signature project this year," said Fuel Services Secretary Amy Stephens, who is Magic City president. This year, the chapter partnered with the Birmingham Board of Education, which identified five schools with students needing school supplies. "We wanted to do anything that would help meet the needs of students the most," said Quality and Training Customer Service Representative Phillis Dickinson, who headed the project. Throughout the summer, the chapter hosted a school supply drive at Corporate Headquarters. Volunteers and entire Financial Analysts Jennifer Burdette Crowson and Jennifer Jones helped deliver backpacks filled with school supplies to young students. 3