POWERGRAMS

With the help of hundreds of members of the Magic City Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), employees were able to make Christmas wishes come true for 5,800 underprivileged children. APSO held several fundraisers in 2016, enabling them to donate $108,000 for children's gifts through the Salvation Army in Birmingham. About 200 to 300 foster children sponsored through DHRs also received gifts. Magic City APSO Treasurer Mike Perry, a Risk and compliance analyst, thanked APSO project chairmen David Boyd, Jason Neal and Trent Sandlin for their hard work and dedication in raising holiday gift funds. Boyd, Power Delivery engineer, headed the Angel Tree Golf Tournament for Power Delivery, raising about $27,500. Neal, an engineer at Southern Company Services, took charge of the Angel Tree Clay Shoot for Engineering and Construction Services, helping raise nearly $56,600. Sandlin, an engineer in Centreville, headed PD's Angel Tree Clay Shoot, raising $24,000. Leah Farley, PTO president at Maxwell Elementary School, wrote to commend several Alabama Power Tuscaloosa employees for their quick response to her last-minute request. While setting up outdoor games on the afternoon of the school's fall festival, Farley learned there were several burned-out light bulbs on the field. When Farley called Alabama Power to ask for help in replacing the bulbs, she spoke with Business Office Supervisor Drew Downs, who dispatched Local Operations Linemen Ryan Markham and Jeff Bradley to handle the job. "Mr. Downs was very understanding about my situation," Farley said. "He never once acted aggravated that I was trying to get them to come out and do some work on a Friday afternoon. By 4 p.m., Mr. Downs had employees at Maxwell changing our light bulbs. This made our fall festival so much better because we had light to play our games and do our activities. It is not often that I receive outstanding customer service from large companies, so I wanted to make sure to notify you all of your excellent work." On Dec. 18, Eastern Division Vice President Julia Segars was featured in the Anniston Star's "Power 20" publication as one of Calhoun County's most influential business leaders. The Plant Gaston APSO Chapter held a silent auction raising $4,575 for its annual Christmas for the Kids project. The sale featured handcrafted merchandise, including flowers, lamps and other items created by the plant's welding class and a wooden chair built by Mike Coker, Plant Gaston. Thumbs Up! 48 Magic City APSO member Shandeon Logan-Buie, Engineering Services supervisor - SCS, selects a doll for an Angel's wish list. Distribution Engineer Miles Hoyle shopped for shoes for a youngster. Photo by Donna Cope Photo by Donna Cope Silent auction items

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