Connections

6 There's no Alabama Power Service Organization project that fazes Eric Boykin: He's planted gardens, folded and sorted clothes, and even helped carve 140 Thanksgiving turkeys for needy families. But, during the "Pay it forward: Power to the Promise" Conference on Feb. 4, Boykin was caught totally off guard when he was called to accept APSO's most prestigious honor, the Patsy Topazi Award. "It's such a big honor," said Boykin, 2014 Eastern Division APSO president. "I didn't have a hint that it was coming. Employees and family members in APSO have done great things, and to be among the past winners is a great honor." After graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2002 with an electrical engineering degree, Boykin joined Alabama Power and, not long afterwards, became an APSO member. He worked in the Centreville Office for a year, then moved to Tuscaloosa in 2003. Though Boykin has moved during his 13-year career, APSO is his mainstay. Now serving as the Distribution Control Center supervisor in Anniston, Boykin takes every opportunity to help serve his community. Eastern Division APSO members, under Boykin's leadership, accomplished several standout projects such as the renovation of the East Central Alabama United Cerebral Palsy playground, mentoring children through the Class Act program for Anniston Middle school, renovating the Presbyterian Children's Home in Talladega and assisting with Meals on Wheels. "When I look back at the year, I'm proud that Eastern APSO was able to do many things that helped improve life in our communities," he said. "The cleanup project we did for United Cerebral Palsy was definitely needed." In August 2014, about 20 APSO volunteers gave about 120 service hours to clean and redo the playground equipment – pressure washing, scrubbing toys, and raking the grounds. The chapter also donated $1,500 to UCP. Boykin is particularly proud of work done for the Presbyterian Home for Children by members of Eastern Division APSO's Talladega subchapter. As part of a continuing project, APSO members have painted and cleaned the children's rooms and kitchen, updated the parlor and helping renovate the cottages. Boykin and several members from the Anniston Office partner in delivering Meals on Wheels every other Thursday. Members volunteer their 1-hour lunchtime to pick up meals from Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, distributing them to shut-in and disabled residents. "The meals are already prepared and the agency sets the route for us," Boykin said. "We pair up – one person drives and the other gives driving directions, and both people deliver the meals. People see us pull up, recognize the vehicle and automatically think, 'Hey, Alabama Power is doing this for us.'" Eastern APSO members' participation in Class Act was another highlight of the year. Alabama Power employees from several departments talk with sixth-grade classes at Anniston Middle school, providing advice and mentoring. During the 1-hour sessions, APSO's volunteers talk about important life lessons and steps the children can take to better their futures. "Last year, we discussed the "ripple effect" during one session," he said. "We talked about how one action leads to another action, and how the positive things you do today – such as studying and getting prepared for the future – leads to positive outcomes." Employees also tackled hot topics such as bullying, and why it creates a negative atmosphere for everyone at school. Boykin's wife, Shevonda, to whom he's been married 12 years, attended the APSO banquet and saw him receive the Patsy Topazi Award. Shevonda is proud of the role he plays in APSO and his company. "Being a part of APSO is giving back to the community," Boykin said. "Alabama Power affords us the opportunity to serve the community, and that's very special, I think. To me, it shows how blessed we are, to be able to help other people out and to be a blessing to them." By Donna Cope A Class Act: Boykin wins Topazi Award Passing the torch … Boykin (left) received the 2015 Topazi Award from last year's winner, Tony Smith. "The Patsy Topazi Award is an individual award, but it would be impossible without the hard work and dedication of our board members and the members of Eastern Division Chapter. I dedicate this award to them."

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