POWERGRAMS

100% CONNECTED Heart of Gold 2 Alabama Power employees work safely every day on every job across the state. They are celebrating 10 years of the successful safety program Target Zero. ON THE COVER: Sharon Murrill said it's the smiles on the children's faces that motivate her to keep coming back to Wilmer Hall. "As a mother, how could you not love those kids and do everything possible to take care of them?" said Murrill, who has volunteered her time at the Mobile facility for abused and neglected children for eight years. In honor of her service at Wilmer Hall Children's Home and in her community, Murrill recently received the Heart of Gold Volunteer Award from United Way of Southwest Alabama (UWSWA). "The United Way of Southwest Alabama was pleased to present Sharon with the Heart of Gold award," said Tina Blackmon, vice president, Resource Development, UWSWA. "Her incredible passion for helping others in our community can be seen in her daily actions. No matter what the challenge, she is always willing to step up and volunteer to help. Sharon's enthusiasm and motivation inspire everyone to Live United. She truly has a heart of gold." Murrill, Theodore Office supervisor, leads the team of Mobile Division Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) members who have spent hundreds of hours through the years on projects at Wilmer Hall, a nonprofit, faith-based facility that provides a safe refuge for children and young adults. As part of that effort, she brings together the APSO team to spruce up the facility during UWSWA's Day of Caring each spring. Their tasks have ranged from cleaning and painting the children's cottages to cutting down trees and raking leaves. The holiday season is another time when Murrill heads to Wilmer Hall. On behalf of Mobile Division APSO, she buys hams and turkeys for the children's Thanksgiving dinner. In addition, Murrill braves the shopping rush to fill the children's Christmas wish lists. "We spend about $3,000 a year, which we raise through our annual APSO golf tournament and fish fry," Murrill said. "It's so much fun and so heartwarming to go shopping for the gifts and know those kids will have just what they wanted on Christmas morning. If it weren't for the love the kids get at Wilmer Hall, there is no telling where they would be in life." Along with these annual efforts, Murrill and her APSO friends are always ready to do anything needed at the facility. Their volunteer service runs the gamut from helping to prepare and serve ribs as part of a Wilmer Hall barbecue last summer, getting donations of food and buying a lawn mower for the facility. Murrill was also instrumental in a donation from the Alabama Power Foundation for a new playground. She pulled together a team of company employees to provide the elbow grease needed to mulch the area around the swings, climbing bars and other equipment, said Sally Greene, Wilmer Hall executive director. "It doesn't matter what we need, we know we can call or email Sharon and she will organize a group to get it done," said Greene. "Sharon is so full of energy and enthusiasm," Greene continued. "We know we can count on Sharon and her group of volunteers to do just about anything we need. Alabama Power is the perfect model of what a partnership between a nonprofit and a business should be." In addition to her work at Wilmer Hall, Murrill has served on the UWSWA Day of Caring planning committee, helping organize the annual event, matching businesses with nonprofit agencies and conducting safety briefings. Murrill was the chair of the Mobile Division UWSWA campaign in 2013 and co-chair in 2012. For Murrill, there's no question her commitment to the children at Wilmer Hall will remain strong. "Volunteering there is so easy because I'm surrounded by other APSO members who have the kind of love for Wilmer Hall that I have," said Murrill. "We feel that at the end of the day, we can truly make a difference." By Carla Davis UNITED WAY HONORS THEODORE EMPLOYEE FOR COMMUNITY WORK Murrill selects Christmas presents for children at Wilmer Hall.

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