POWERGRAMS

6 Magic City Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) volunteers turned out in September to help pack student care packages at Corporate Headquarters. The "stuffing party" was the climax of a two-month effort to provide hygiene items and school supplies for children in need. Chapter members collected enough items to fill 1,000 bags, which were donated to 15 child advocacy centers in Birmingham and Shelby County. "Instead of donating supplies to schools, we decided to take a different direction this year," said Jennifer Jones, rate specialist, Regulatory Pricing. "I think we have to start by taking care of kids' basic needs, and then we can focus on their education and helping them learn and do better." The Magic City Chapter set up collection bins at Birmingham- area Alabama Power and Southern Company locations in August. Employees donated a wide range of items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, floss, soap, lotion, deodorant, coloring books, crayons and basic school supplies. Alabama Power's Transmission employees went the extra mile by donating $1,000 to purchase items for the care packages. "From a Transmission perspective, we wanted to make sure APSO had enough money to do everything possible for under-served kids at the child advocacy centers," said Transmission Analyst Deirdre Thomas, who coordinated the effort. In September, the Magic City Chapter hosted care package stuffing parties at Corporate Headquarters and the General Services Complex, as well as at Southern Nuclear and SouthernLINC. The volunteers at each location delivered the packages to agencies in their own communities, allowing them to see firsthand how children are benefiting from their efforts, Jones said. "About 15 percent of our support comes from the community," said Cindy Greer, executive director of Owens House, the Shelby County Children's Advocacy Center that received 200 care packages. "We have a really tight budget. Support from groups like APSO is so helpful because it allows us to meet our needs without having to use our grant money. It also allows the community to be a part of protecting these kids and helping them to heal." The agencies receiving care packages included the Clay House Children's Center, Prescott House, Owens House, King's Ranch, SafeHouse of Shelby County, Pathways, First Light Shelter, YWCA, Jessie's Place for Women and Children, Kids First Awareness, the DAY Program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Girls Inc., A.G. Gaston Boys and Girls Club, and Grace House. By Carla Davis Healthful Help 100% CONNECTED 1,0 0 0 C H I L D R EN R EC EI V E BAGS FI L L ED W I T H H YG I EN E I T E M S Alabama Power linemen safely restore power after recent storm. Employee volunteers stuffed bags at Corporate Headquarters. Bags included items for oral hygiene, books, school supplies. Photos by Billy Sanford

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