POWERGRAMS

100% CONNECTED Photos by Bill Snow Book fairs bring free texts to schools across Alabama Plant Gorgas employees Becky Cannon, Gardner and Billy Christopher at the annual book fair. For Mickey Williams, stepping onto the grounds at Plant Gorgas is a lot like Christmas. In this case, however, the gifts were books – a "feast for the minds" of students at Oakman Middle School, where Williams is a librarian. On Oct. 16, Williams joined teachers and librarians from 13 elementary and middle schools selecting free books. Personnel from every Walker County elementary school attended, as well as teachers from two Jasper schools, a school in Fayette County and one in Jefferson County. Several members of the Gorgas Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) set up their version of a bookstore, lining books row upon row on tables for Librarians looked teachers' viewing. through books. "There are always so many nice books to choose from, both paperbacks and hardbacks," said Williams. "They allowed me to choose about 75 books." The service project to benefit education is the brainchild of APSO's Joey Phifer, who conceived the idea in 2009 after a tornado struck Oakman Middle School in Walker County. "Back when tornadoes came through and tore up Oakman, they lost about 90 percent of their books to water damage," said Maintenance Specialist Phifer, who has worked at Gorgas for 31 years. "That year, we gave books to four different schools, at about $1,000 a piece." From 2010 to 2011, Gorgas APSO gave Oakman about $7,000 worth of books and other materials, helping replenish the library and classrooms, Phifer said. APSO volunteers recently set aside time to assist teachers in boxing and loading the materials. Afterward, administrators were treated to lunch. Helping with the event were Gorgas APSO Chapter President Tarance Gardner, with longtime project supporters Terri Black, Julie Hester, Earnest Tubbs, Traci Wood, Phifer and others. "The Gorgas group made me feel very special – they made us feel very welcome, and we felt very important," said Williams, who has worked at Oakman for 11 years. "They didn't have to do it. They are the only organization that does this for us. We could call them and they'd help us." Gorgas APSO members held a clay shoot and sold concessions at the Mule Day Festival in Winfield to fund the book fair, with APSO re-investing profits from employee purchases into buying more books, Phifer said. In 2011, the Plant Gaston APSO Chapter sponsored a fair that produced $5,500 in books for schools. Project Chairwoman Jodi Webb said the event benefited A.H. Watwood, Childersburg, Coosa Valley Academy, Cornerstone Christian, Elvin Hill, Vincent and Wilsonville schools. "This was our second year to help our schools and we love being part of this program," said Webb, chemical technician at Plant Gaston. She said the Gaston Chapter will donate $400 worth of books to Stemley Elementary School in Talladega. "A book hangs around for years," said Phifer. "These books have the potential to touch so many lives. The librarians get so much enjoyment out of selecting the books they want, it makes it special for us, too." By Donna Cope PAGE55

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