POWERGRAMS

for Children's of Birmingham, members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) decorated two Christmas trees for the hospital lobby. Tabetha Lemonds, a research associate at the Power Systems Development Facility and IAAP president, said her organization was thrilled to help Children's with a $3,000 gift. Hundreds of employees throughout the state donated to food drives sponsored by the 10 APSO chapters, ensuring that needy families enjoyed holiday meals. "It took plenty of teamwork, clear communication and organization to make these big events happen," said APSO Community Initiatives Specialist Tan Grayson. Magic City Chapter's Can Hunger drive yielded more than 1,000 pounds of food, making it one of APSO's largest food drives ever, Grayson said, with donations from Birmingham Division, Corporate Headquarters, the General Services Complex and Southern Nuclear. Southern Division employees took part to benefit the Montgomery Area Food Bank. In November, Eastern Division APSO members held a canned food drive collecting about 200 items for Community Enabler Developer in Anniston, an agency that provides food, clothing and utility assistance to people in need in Calhoun County. Director Maudine Holloway said, "Folks need a hand-up, not a handout. We are so grateful to Eastern APSO members for their help." In Sylacauga, Eric Boykin was among five Eastern APSO volunteers helping 20 folks carve turkeys for the 12th annual communitywide Thanksgiving dinner. "We carved and pulled apart turkeys for the dinner on Thursday," said Boykin about his first time assisting the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement project. In Mobile, Theodore Office Supervisor Sharon Murrill and Allison Allen led Mobile APSO teams delivering Thanksgiving hams and turkeys to Wilmer Hall Children's Home and Penelope House Family Violence Center. Allen, Mobile APSO president, said members also donated to the Salvation Army to provide 700 holiday meals. In Barry's 24th annual Christmas Eve delivery program, Simmons said that APSO members and volunteers travel across the Mobile area to deliver a holiday meal of turkey, vegetables and dessert to needy and shut-in residents. In Wilsonville, the arrival of Plant Gaston employees Shelby Blackerby, Corey McCallum, Jason Pruitt and Brandon Tomlin in two Alabama Power trucks "positively made the day" for Penny and David Kovakas, who operate the nonprofit Kovakas Food Pantry. Plant Gaston employees donated 1,075 pounds of food from Oct. 24 to Nov. 14, said Financial Specialist Melissa Williamson. The donations made it just in time to put holiday dinners on the tables of families. "Alabama Power has been so good to us," said Penny Kovakas. "I was overwhelmed and humbled by this donation. We have people come from all over Shelby County, as far away as Talladega County, for food." The pantry distributes free groceries every second and fourth Friday. Penny Kovakas said every needy family leaves with a grocery bag of nonperishables and fruit worth up to $50. When the pantry opened in 2010, the couple served 12 families. By 2014, Kovakas Food Pantry helped 60 families on one Friday, and the donations from employees were responsible for that provision, she said. "It puts you in awe to see so much giving," Penny Kovakas said. "We are so grateful to Alabama Power's employees. We want to be able to bless people, particularly at Christmas, and Alabama Power made that possible." By Donna Cope 6 100% CONNECTED Mobile APSO members collected coats and supplies for the Sybil Smith Family Village and Family Promise to aid homeless women and children. Alfonso Ramirez, Neil Mercer and project chairman Joey Merritt helped Southern Division's Can Hunger drive to benefit Montgomery Area Food Bank. Southeast Division APSO's Eufaula subchapter volunteers bagged donations for SARCOA.

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