POWERGRAMS

7 COMMUNITY Salvation Army joins Project SHARE as program stays focused on needy After 25 successful years as a high school teacher, Annette Sumlin's life began to crumble before her eyes. Sumlin beat breast cancer in December 2015, only to have the disease reappear in her throat this past summer, and she has undergone surgeries and radiation treatments. Sumlin was hit with unforeseen financial burdens such as the loss of health insurance following the death of her husband. During this trying time, she was introduced to Project SHARE, which provides emergency assistance to elderly and disabled people who are struggling to pay their energy bills. "Project SHARE has been a God-given blessing and is especially needed in my health situation," said Sumlin, who wears a monitor that transmits health data to medical professionals overseeing her recovery. "I spent years assisting others, but I never thought I would be in a position where I would have to ask for help. I'm very appreciative to Project SHARE for being there to assist individuals like me, whatever the circumstances may be. Project SHARE is actually a blessing for all of us, not just me." Despite the challenges she has faced, Sumlin remains upbeat. "I'm a survivor and a fighter," she said. "Out of everything I have gone through, it has made me stronger, and given me a sense of completion and a sense of satisfaction." According to Alabama Possible's 2016 poverty data sheet, 19.2 percent of Alabamians, or 900,000 people, live below the poverty line. But Project SHARE, created by Alabama Power in 1982, is helping to lift that burden for many people. The program pays heating and cooling bills for low-income elderly and disabled Alabamians statewide. It will cover the cost of fuels including electricity, gas, coal, kerosene and wood. Project SHARE – the same program but with new faces behind the scenes In October, Alabama Power and the rural electric cooperatives formed a new partnership with the Salvation Army, which will now administer Project SHARE. Previously, the American Red Cross joined with Alabama Power and the cooperatives to oversee the program. But because the Red Cross has recently narrowed its focus to include only disaster-relief efforts and blood donations, the Salvation Army is stepping in to take its place on the Project SHARE team. "Project SHARE has been helping older and disabled Alabamians with their energy bills for 34 years," said Myla Calhoun, Alabama Power's vice president of Charitable Giving. "SHARE's success is due to the compassion and energy that the American Red Cross demonstrated from the program's beginning. Alabama Power is grateful to the Red Cross for its decision to help us establish SHARE all those years ago. Our new partner, the Salvation Army, brings a breadth of experience and a legacy of caring that fits Project SHARE's mission perfectly." While the Salvation Army is coming aboard the team, the focus of Project SHARE remains unchanged, said Peggy Burnett, Alabama Power Charitable Giving program manager. It will continue serving people who are 62 and older or who are 100 percent disabled. "The Salvation Army is honored to partner with Alabama Power and Project SHARE to meet the needs of so many across the state of Alabama," said Major Bob Parker, area commander of the Greater Birmingham Area Command of the Salvation Army. "Project Share has touched the lives of those in need across our state for years. We look forward to being a part of that meaningful service to our fellow Alabamians for many years to come." Alabama Power will soon launch a campaign to encourage customers and employees to renew their support of SHARE. Along with featuring the program in company publications and on the Internet, Sumlin BY CARLA DAVIS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHUCK ST. JOHN

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