Connections

5 supporting child advocacy groups and the couple knows firsthand that many children entering foster care don't have personal belongings. Therein, Mims conceived "Fostering Love," enlisting APSO's help. Through this project, Southeast/Farley Chapter is providing local foster homes, as well as state and county agencies in the Wiregrass area, with care packages for new foster children. The bags contain items for children up to age 18. "It's amazing that Alabama Power thought of us. So many people aren't aware of these needs," said Beverly Miller, social service caseworker, Henry County Department of Human Resources, Abbeville. "We don't have a Wal-Mart nearby where we can easily buy these items. It's so helpful to have them on hand to give to these kids. Anything they receive is so important because it becomes something that belongs only to them." The chapter is just getting started. Volunteers plan to fill and distribute 250 gift bags by the time the project ends in December. Every month for nearly 20 years, Barry APSO members have gone above and beyond to make birthdays special for youngsters at St. Mary's Home in Mobile. A 9-year-old boy's dreams will come true on Oct. 13, when he'll enjoy his first Batman birthday cake. It's just one of the many ways Barry APSO members bring a sense of family to abused youngsters who live at Alabama's oldest children's home. Needy children in Mobile will have a merrier Christmas, thanks to Barry APSO. The chapter's golf tournament on Sept. 19 will furnish gifts for less fortunate children sponsored by the Mobile County DHR. Wilmer Hall, which provides 24/7 residential, educational and community services to children, gets lots of love from Mobile APSO members. On Aug. 15-16, APSO volunteers prepared ribs for a fundraiser to benefit Wilmer Hall kids. APSO members supplied railroad ties to make playground improvements, and will install the new materials and do landscaping this fall, Theodore Office Supervisor Sharon Murrill said. With thoughts of Santa closing in, Mobile members are saving proceeds from their Aug. 23 golf tournament at Rock Creek Golf Club to purchase Christmas gifts for Wilmer Hall's children, as well. Eastern Division APSO members couldn't help but respond when Tallapoosa DHR requested last-minute help in 2013 to supply Christmas gifts for 25 foster children. Dadeville Customer Service Representative Paula White recounted, "Even now, the kids still talk about us bringing Christmas presents." Precious lives saved Supporting child advocacy groups was the plan behind Southeast/ Farley Chapter's May 3 Jug Fishing Tournament at Lake Eufaula. "We had a lot of fun and fellowship with area linemen who participated," said Jarrod Oates, merchandise salesperson - Appliance Sales, Headland Office. "We were there working from 2-8 p.m., but we all had such a good time, it didn't matter." Proceeds from entry fees benefited several child advocacy organizations in Southeast Division. On Sept. 27, Miller APSO will sponsor its popular cornhole tournament for the second year. Miller Chapter President Jamie Driver said it's all about fun – and making the needed money to fund their Adopt-A-Child project – to bless needy children in Walker and west Jefferson counties with Christmas presents. Volunteers will stage the beanbag-throw at a grassy area at Cajun Steamer restaurant at the Pinnacle at Tutwiler Farm in Trussville. The fun starts at 12:30 p.m. Competitors will enjoy live music and lots of fellowship. This fall, Miller Chapter also will sponsor a winter clothing drive for the Mission of Hope. By Donna Cope Wilmer Hall's kids are getting a safe, new playground, thanks to Mobile APSO members' hard work in a barbecue sale during August. About 250 foster children in the Wiregrass area will receive care packages through Southeast/Farley APSO. As part of Southern Division APSO's signature effort for Child Protect Organization in Montgomery, Distribution System Operator Johnny Brown and other volunteers helped clean and paint the facility.

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