POWERGRAMS

POWER OF GOOD Hohoholiday Photo by Bill Snow Employees statewide serve as Santas to the needy Gorgas APSO's Nadra Austin and Christy Roberts bagged Christmas gifts for Share-a-Toy Walker County. For most people, the spirit of Christmas arrives in December, when myriad green and red lights twinkle in evening skies and sounds of carols fill the air. But hundreds of Alabama Power employees exude the spirit of Christmas year-round. So says Rose Marie Pugh, executive director of Mulherin Home in Mobile, which provides 24/7 care for 32 mentally or physically disabled residents. Most require total assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming and meals. "If there is ever a need, I can pick up the phone, and somehow members of Barry APSO help us," said Pugh, who has worked at Mulherin for 42 years. In the fall, Alabama Power Service Organization's members at Barry Steam Plant organized their own "Day of Caring" at Mulherin, repairing and Mobile APSO members painting the facility. However, including Market Specialist Khanh Bailey brought gifts to Pugh's fondest wishes came Wilmer Hall Children's Home. true in early December, when Barry APSO President Stacy Simmons asked, "If there was one thing we could do for you – other than giving you a million dollars – what would it be?" Pugh didn't have to think hard: Mulherin men's bathrooms needed new tile and sheetrock. Thanks to Barry APSO, the aging facilities will be updated by January. Pugh said Mulherin residents know they can count on APSO's support during the holidays. "On Christmas Eve, APSO comes with a prepared turkey dinner with all the fixin's – mashed potatoes and gravy, and pies," she said. "A few days before Christmas, they come with all the things we need: adult diapers, juices, paper products and toiletries." Barry blessings didn't stop there. Many Mobile nonprofits met at the annual contributions breakfast Dec. 12, where Barry APSO awarded gifts to Home of Grace, Mulherin Home and other charitable groups. APSO volunteers earlier bought toys, clothing, shoes and items for needy children sponsored by Mobile's Department of Human Resources (DHR). "We bulk-ordered 200 blankets for our Barry for Blankets program for local homeless, and Wal-Mart also donated $1,000 for dinners we provide to needy residents on Christmas Eve," Simmons said. Holiday blessings that saturate communities throughout Alabama seem to be the specialty of Alabama Power employees. On Nov. 19, Santa's "elves" – Miller APSO volunteers – descended on Adamsville Wal-Mart, shopping for five hours for Salvation Army angels. Volunteers replayed the scene at Jasper Wal-Mart on Nov. 21 for the Walker County DHR. Miller Supply Chain Management Team Leader Beth Kyle Thompson holds Barry APSO's 7-footShumate, who chaired the project, said long shopping receipt Miller APSO members gave $35,000 to for presents. help fulfill the Christmas wishes of 320 children. The town of West Jefferson's annual Festival of Trees was boosted by the efforts of Miller APSO President Rachel Edgil, who, with Electrical and Instrumentation Journeyman Rosa Boston and Shumate, decorated a Christmas tree for a West Jefferson Elementary School fundraiser. "We etched event names on the ornaments," said Edgil, Power Generation analyst. "The money bought supplies for the schoolchildren." 3

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