POWERGRAMS

7 Somewhere out there, Tony Smith must have a "double." That is the nearest explanation for how Smith summons the time and energy to work seemingly nonstop – into late afternoons and on weekends – on many projects to benefit communities throughout Southern Division. With members of the Southern Division Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) thronging to assist in about 40 projects in 2013, Smith seemed to be the common denominator. Whether installing sod in a neighborhood park, reading to fourth-graders at Montgomery-area schools, landscaping a united Way agency, removing debris at a Renew Our Rivers cleanup or lending a hand to build a Habitat home, Smith's friendly face was a mainstay in many photos of those events. Smith, a supervisor at Customer Service Center - South, donated lots of personal time to chapter work days. That dedication, as well as Smith's ability to encourage and inspire his chapter membership, helped earn him APSO's top leadership honor, the Patsy Topazi Award. When he took the role as chapter president, Smith proposed to be "completely hands-on." "It was my internal goal to go to each of our areas, within our APSO subchapters, to reach out and assist them," said Smith, who has worked 17 years at Alabama Power. "The important thing is, we were successful in what we wanted to do. We wanted to be really visible in our communities." With a "stretch" goal to perform at least 5,000 volunteer hours, Southern Division members worked on some 40 projects for charitable agencies and groups. The final tally – more than 7,000 volunteer hours performed – was proof of employees' dedication to making a real difference in their communities. "We had no idea we'd surpass our goal the way we did," Smith said. Among that work was Southern APSO's new, signature effort to help beautify the Child Protect Children's Advocacy Center in Montgomery. Child Protect is a nonprofit serving four central Alabama counties, assisting about 600 child abuse victims a year, said Executive Director Jannah Bailey. "We exist to minimize that trauma and help rebuild young lives shattered by child abuse," Bailey said. Child Protect Children's Advocacy Center provides a non-threatening environment where a multidisciplinary team works to improve each child's justice and restoration process. "It's a great agency," Smith said. "It's a tragic thing when harm is done to a child." With Montgomery Office Manager Noah Rocker, Smith spearheaded a two-day work project last spring to paint building trim and stripe the parking lot, clean the inside, glaze windows and landscape the nonprofit's headquarters. Many Southern APSO members assisted, to the delight of Child Protect's six employees. "Being a nonprofit, we don't have extra funding for painting and lawn care," Bailey said. "When Tony called and brought his group over, we were so happy. The outside of our building looked a little sad and drab. That's the last thing we want for children who are coming here with their families." Smith's efforts didn't stop there. He was among members who, at APSO's state board meeting on Feb. 28, encouraged other chapters to support agencies that protect and advocate for Alabama's children. "When we look at our communities and see the needs, it's really up to us, those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to help," said Smith, whose wife, Kimberly, and 20-year-old son, Dorian, assist APSO. "We have to make sacrifices to help others. When you go into a school and see a child's face light up, that makes the difference." Smith praised members of the Southern Division APSO board for their support. "Our board really came together and worked hard," he said. "We had to implement new policies with our chapter chairs, and they got on board. That's why we were successful." From Bailey's viewpoint, cloning Smith – and several fellow APSO members – would be just fine. "They did amazing work," Bailey said. "Several of them even came back on the second day to do touch-up work for us. We are so grateful, so thankful to them. It was awesome." By Donna Cope Aiding community projects earns highest honor for Southern supervisor pOWER TO ALAbAmA Smith reads to students in Montgomery classroom. Smith helps on APSO project. "Power to Alabama" is Alabama Power's new communications effort that in the coming weeks and months will spotlight employees, customers, businesses and organizations that make our state so amazing. Power to Alabama is more than advertising: It is the beginning of a conversation between employees and customers to find more ways to get more people involved in Alabama's future. Wear your Power to Alabama lapel pin with pride!

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