Energizers

2 I t may seem unusual that a retired Alabama Power crew foreman like Curtis Harrison would spend his free time in the kitchen. But in the past three years, Harrison has baked more than 1,600 pound cakes – all for a worthy cause. "It may sound crazy. But when it's cold or rainy or too hot, I'd rather be in the kitchen cooking," said the 37-year veteran of Alabama Power, who donates all the money he receives from selling pound cakes to the American Cancer Society. From crew foreman to baker Harrison got the idea after baking a pound cake for a friend's mother who was suffering from cancer. He used a special recipe handed down from his dad Lewis. The friend's family bragged about the cake and urged him to begin selling his baked creations. Harrison now bakes up to four or five cakes a week and has raised $32,000 for the cancer society since 2009. Every one of the cakes, he said, was made in memory of his dad, whose life was claimed by the disease in 1992. Pound cake promoter Harrison began by promoting pound cake sales at local businesses in his hometown of Lineville and nearby Ashland. He has sold cakes as far away as Tennessee, Texas, Ohio and Afghanistan. "The first year I pushed it hard. Since then, the word has gotten out, and people call me," he said. Although Harrison sells cakes all year, his busiest season is Thanksgiving and Christmas. But he still visits area businesses in January to encourage employees to buy his cakes just in time for the cancer society's local Relay for Life in the spring. Along with the traditional pound cake, he has made a variety of others, including chocolate, lemon, strawberry, apple, banana nut, pecan and even onion. Although he didn't intend to sell the onion pound cake, Harrison said it tasted "pretty good." "I tell people, dogs will not eat these pound cakes. That's because when you taste it, you're not going to give it to the dogs," said Harrison. Giving to improve lives In addition to baking pound cakes, Harrison has donated several items as prizes for Relay for Life raffles for the past three years – a television, $1,000 and a painting of an old ferry that traveled across the Tallapoosa River between Lineville and Wedowee. Harrison was recently the recipient of $600 as part of WBRC FOX6 TV news' "Pass 6 On." Dianne Stewart, of Lineville, first received the cash from Pass 6 On and then gave it to Harrison, who donated it to the American Cancer Society. Pass 6 On is a weekly news feature in which a person is selected to receive $600 to give away. That individual has one hour to pass the cash on to help someone in need, or someone who has done a good turn or simply needs encouragement to help them through a rough spot. Harrison will never tire of baking pound cakes as long as the cancer society continues conducting research into the causes and cures for the disease. "I've lived my life. But if the cancer society can find a cure for cancer before my kids or grandkids or anybody else develops it, that's my drive for making pound cakes," Harrison said. "I encourage everyone to get involved with Relay for Life because all of us have been touched by cancer." By Carla Davis Curtis Harrison pounds away at cancer with $32,000 gift A staunch supporter of the American Cancer Society, Harrison encourages participation in Relays for Life. Date Chapter Location Thursday, Sept. 13 Jasper Community Health Systems Activity Center Wednesday, Sept. 19 Southern RSA Activity Center Wednesday, Sept. 26 Eastern Anniston City Meeting Center Tuesday, Oct. 2 Mobile Mobile Convention Center Monday, Oct. 29 B'ham/Corp./E.C. Gaston Cahaba Grand Tuesday, Nov. 6 Southeast Lakepoint Resort Wednesday, Nov. 14 Western Indian Hills Country Club 2012 Retiree Luncheons Photo Courtesy of Curtis harrison

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