Energizers

6 Beth Thomas (left), Corporate Communication manager at the Mobile Division Office, bestowed Via honors on Mary Jo Hrabe. M Mary Jo Hrabe is a "grand friend," in more ways than one. Making life better and happier for senior citizens is a role she takes seriously. For more than 15 years, this devoted Energizer has given 20 hours a month or more being a "grandfriend," taking a caregiver role for seniors at Via Health, Fitness and Enrichment Center in Mobile. On May 23, Via championed Hrabe's considerable years of service by honoring her as Volunteer of the Year. Via board member Beth Thomas bestowed the honors during Via's annual awards luncheon. "I am so honored by this award," said Hrabe, longtime Energizers member, secretary/reporter for the Mobile Division Chapter and Energizers state secretary. Hrabe said she is proud to serve in the Grandfriends adult day care program. "The needs of senior citizens have really hit home," said Hrabe, who retired from Alabama Power in 1996. "A lot of our people are affected by Alzheimer's and other age-related issues, and can't be left alone during the day." Thomas said Hrabe's help is much appreciated. "Via is a dedicated advocate for mature adults facing the challenges of health and aging, and we depend a lot on our volunteers," Thomas said. As a Grandfriends volunteer, Hrabe helps Via caregivers as they work with seniors suffering with dementia, Alzheimer's or other illness. Grandfriends offers an alternative to daytime home care or nursing-home placement, while providing seniors the chance to paint, play dominoes, bingo and other games, as well as get exercise. Volunteering is family affair Hrabe's husband, Chuck, organized computer training classes for seniors. The classes provide a basic approach to typing, using the mouse and keyboard, and learning to surf the Web. "We get beginners on board," said Chuck Hrabe, Mobile Division Chapter president, state president-elect and a computer enthusiast. "Seniors are getting more involved in the Internet. That's where it's at, and once they get started, they usually continue using it." Chuck Hrabe has volunteered at Via more than 15 years. He and Mary Jo also volunteer as a team with Mobile's Area Agency on Aging, as well as conduct tours at the Mardi Gras Museum. This couple loves volunteering, and plans to continue doing so well into their retirement. "My view is we can be of a lot more service to our company when we're out as Alabama Power retirees, as part of the Energizers organization," Chuck Hrabe said. By Donna CoPe Mary Jo Hrabe is Via Volunteer of the Year in Mobile knew we could make a difference in people's lives with Project Lifesaver. " Preventing tragedies Spearheaded by Alabama State Troopers, Project Lifesaver exists in 37 of Alabama's 67 counties, said Robyn Bradley Litchfield, Public Information/Education representative - Alabama Department of Public Safety. Highlighting Project Lifesaver's importance, Litchfield said, "In April, search teams spent eight days looking for Billy Heartsill, a 77-year old with dementia who went missing from his home. Search teams were called in, and if he'd been wearing a bracelet, the situation could have had a happier ending." Eight days after he went missing, Heartsill's body was found half a mile from his home, in an area searched by dozens of law enforcement officers and volunteers. "About 70,000 Alabama residents suffer from Alzheimers," Smith said. "The average search lasts nine hours and costs taxpayers $300,000." Some 36 percent of victims are never found, Smith said. The Project Lifesaver bracelet can change the outcome. "Time is critical," Smith said. "The survival rate drops to just 50 percent after just one night." O'Daniel said the membership is excited and committed to supporting Project Lifesaver. A cause we believe in "Most of us can relate to this project – it is a real jewel to support," O'Daniel said. "The Alabama State Troopers are dedicated enough to try to give one to everyone in Alabama who needs one, and we are excited to be a part of that." He said the project is one of many Energizers members can relate to. "This is something that tugs at your heartstrings," Smith said. "This is about our parents and grandparents. Project Lifesaver provides a way to protect them. Investing in this program literally saves lives." By Donna CoPe Lessons from the past None of us can predict the future, but we can certainly learn from the past. Those of you who were with the company in the 1970s might remember another challenge Alabama Power faced. After three consecutive decades of price decreases, our prices started creeping upward due to the capital investment associated with new generation projects. At the same time, unrest in the Middle East led to increases in oil prices, and extreme inflation mired the U.S. in a recession. The combination of our capital spending and coinciding economic downturn resulted in cost pressures for our company and our customers. We face similar economic and political conditions today, so we must be cautious and thoughtful in identifying capital projects regarding our generating units. For MATS compliance, we are exploring several options for our generating fleet, including adding more environmental controls to some units, converting others from coal to natural gas and perhaps shutting down some units. These are difficult decisions, particularly since there are so many unknowns. But, given the time it takes to add equipment or convert units, we have to act now if we are to meet the proposed deadlines. Immediate plans include working to minimize the short-term price impact on our customers. We will not make large capital decisions until we know what the EPA's final rules will be. I have committed to my employees that no one will lose their job as a result of the new regulations. Protecting our future We are studying the numbers to determine the appropriate risk-adjusted compliance solution for each of our units. Despite the unknowns, I can assure you with confidence that we will meet these challenges. As always, we will meet all government regulations or do better than required. We will continue to safely and reliably provide electricity to our customers, while doing everything possible to mitigate any price increases. "Generation," continued from page 1 "Goal," continued from page 1 The Project Lifesaver bracelet uses a trackable signal that allows search parties to quickly locate a lost Alzheimer's victim. Alabama State Troopers replace the batteries free of charge.

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