POWERGRAMS

The ring of hammers and the whir of saws filled the air on Vernon Street in east Birmingham June 2-6. Those were the sounds of Magic City Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) volunteers furiously working to build a home in only five days. "The trick is keeping people from working on top of each other," said Troy Sanderson, line construction specialist, Patton Chapel Crew Headquarters, and house leader for the project. "To do that, you have to have someone in charge who is assertive and can make sure people are working on the tasks that need to be completed by the end of each day." It took a leader like Sanderson to keep volunteers on track as they built their 22nd Habitat for Humanity home. Sanderson was well-equipped for the job, having helped construct 10 Habitat homes. More than 100 Magic City APSO members and their families worked to build the 1,100-square-foot house – a project that climaxed with a special dedication ceremony. The house is certified as an "EarthCents" home with many energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features. "This house is such a blessing," said the new owner, Rayonna Dorsey, who is moving into her home with her two daughters, 9-year-old Elizabeth and 17-month-old Chloe. "I thank God every day for allowing Alabama Power to build a house for me. You don't often find organizations that want to do things like that for other people." The Dorsey family can look forward to lower utility bills, thanks to several features being incorporated into their home. It will be equipped with energy- efficient Rheem heating and cooling, a General Electric heat pump water heater, lighting and controls, and Energy Star appliances. Airtight ductwork, insulation and low-flow shower heads, faucets and toilets were installed. Additionally, no volatile organic paints, glues, stains, caulking or other chemicals were used, which helps purify air quality inside the home. The yard features elements to reduce water usage, including a rain-harvesting system for irrigation, and drought-tolerant plants and grasses. "We want our customers to have a comfortable, affordable and energy- efficient home that, at the same time, helps protect our state's natural resources," said Robin White, a green building specialist at Alabama Power. "These features will not only be cost-effective and have a positive payback for the Dorseys, they make sense for homes of all sizes." Adam Swafford said the build ran smoothly because of the Magic City Chapter's close partnership with Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham. "The Habitat guys had all the materials laid out when we got here to start the project," said Swafford, Power Delivery Contract Services engineer and project chairman. "They marked the foundation to show where the walls and studs should be. They showed us on the walls where the windows and doors should go. All we had to do was stand up the walls. There was no guesswork." Swafford said teamwork was the key to building the home so quickly. Power Delivery Contract Services, Power Delivery Engineering Distribution Services, Corporate Marketing, Southern Nuclear and SouthernLINC joined Magic City APSO volunteers, sending employees to work on the site for a day as part of a teambuilding effort. Because the project was at the start of summer vacation, many employees brought their children along to lend a hand, Swafford said. While other volunteers were helping to build the home, Whitney Talley, Power Delivery Contract Services administrative assistant, was in charge of coordinating logistics, which included delivering and serving breakfast and lunch each day, helping to replenish the supply trailer and keeping the area clear of trash. Before the build began, Talley and Susan Ernst, budget analyst, Marketing and Economic Development, shopped for snacks, soft drinks, coffee, first aid supplies, paper products, hand sanitizer, suntan lotion and other needed supplies. Despite the hard work and the humid weather, volunteers agreed that it was worth the effort to help make the Dorseys' dream of owning a home a reality. The Magic City Chapter and Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham have worked side by side since APSO built its first house in 1998. Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham is a nonprofit Christian organization that builds affordable, "green," quality homes for underprivileged families. "Partners are crucial to Habitat's ability to serve the housing needs in our community," said Charles Moore, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham. "Our long-standing relationship with Alabama Power, as demonstrated in this week's build of the Dorseys' home, is a prime example of partnership in action. From providing daily volunteers, to raising funds to sponsor the home itself, Alabama Power and the Magic City APSO Chapter clearly demonstrate their commitment to aiding Habitat's mission of building homes, communities and hope in the greater Birmingham region. Thank you for your sustained partnership with Habitat Birmingham." By Carla Davis Home Sweet Habitat Home 100% CONNECTED 5 Photos by Nik Layman VO LU NTEERS BU I LD 22 N D B I R M I N G HA M - A RE A H O USE More than 100 company volunteers helped build house.

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