POWERGRAMS

20 the Energizers attended a program at the school, where they began conferring with 11 teachers about gifts. Teachers allow students to select three presents as possibilities. Numerous Mobile Energizers, including most board members, go on a shopping spree the first week of November. It's serious shopping, said Mary Jo Hrabe: "We have about five carts full of toys when we leave Target. Some board members do shopping with the help of some elves at Target. We have an assembly line of toys, listed by the teachers' and students' names. Last year, lots of children wanted Legos and trucks." After a few hours of shopping – and aching feet – they regroup at the Mobile Division Office on Airport Boulevard for a wrapping party. "We wrap up trucks for the boys and dolls for the girls," said Hall, who retired as Operations supervisor at Plant Barry in Mobile in 1997. "It's kind of our tradition. After we get everything done, we go to the nearby senior center on Hillcrest Road and have lunch. It's a little outing for all of us." In 2015 and 2016, Mobile Energizers allocated $1,000 for the children's gifts, which provides presents for about 75 children. After all purchases are made, any remaining funds go to the school. The Hrabes said that Energizers are thrilled to help. "The school produces wonderful students who contribute to their communities when they graduate," Chuck Hrabe said. "One boy there went on to Washington State and became an engineer. One of the girls recently graduated from college and is getting married soon." Making the day merry and bright for children Every Christmas, the school knows it can count on the Mobile Energizers for help, said Principal Rachael McDaniel. The students look forward to the Energizers' visit each year. "The Mobile Energizers support Southwest Regional School in so many ways," McDaniel said. "This project is just one of the many ways they are here for our students. This is something our kids look forward to every year, and we are so appreciative of the care and support given by the Mobile Energizers." The teachers treat the Energizers to a brunch of eggs, bacon and sausage, grits, orange juice, coffee and coffee cake. "They fix it for us, and we love it," said Chuck Hrabe. Anticipation fills the air as the children await Santa's arrival – and the giving of the gifts, McDaniel said. No one opens a package until every gift is distributed. "It's an amazing thing to see the children with their gifts," Hall said. "They're so orderly. Some children are blind and some can't see very well, but they sit on the floor and unwrap gifts. They're a good bunch of kids." Every year, the event makes the true meaning of Christmas ring clear, Hall and the Hrabes agree. "It's fun doing the shopping, going around to the different aisles and searching for something that will make the children happy. What fun it is to see the excitement on the children's faces. They come up to us and give us hugs. This is our Christmas tradition." 228 Chapter members 7,200+ Volunteer service hours $3,000 Donated to charitable groups 5 Major projects: Eagles Landing, Project Lifesaver, Ransom Ministries, Southwest Alabama Regional School for the Deaf and Blind, and Victory Health Partners 4 Years of supporting Project Lifesaver, which helps locate people with Alzheimer's, Down syndrome or autism in Alabama's 67 counties. Mobile Energizers 'By the Numbers'

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