POWERGRAMS

12 APSO retrieving balls during the softball and tennis ball throws. The highest scorers go on to other competitions. Southeast/Farley APSO donated $200 to the Enterprise Special Olympics. "This truly brings a lot of joy to me," said Anderson, customer service representative - Daleville Office. "They run as hard as anyone else. The enthusiasm they have is contagious. "I wish everyone could do this and see the children," said Anderson, 2016 co-president of the Southeast/Farley Chapter. "It renews your spirit." Inspiring smiles for miles That special joy has drawn Mike Blair to the Special Olympics of Mobile County for 12 years. Blair was among members of the Barry and Mobile APSO chapters who helped at the games in April. The annual event at St. Paul's Episcopal School in Mobile combines sports with fun and good food. About 400 special needs students from 52 schools competed in the javelin throw, long jump, shotput and other events at St. Paul's football stadium. The event kicked off with a torch run from the Mobile Police Department. Adding to the excitement, the U.S. Coast Guard performed a flyover. Working the concession stand from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Blair and his wife, Skye, raised more than $800 for the athletes' transportation to the state games in Troy. Barry APSO's Danny Bolerjack, Kendra Burroughs, Amanda Lofton, Kevin Lynch, Melanie Robbins, Jack Shaw, Stacy Simmons-Walley and Greg Stoll cooked the 1,250 hot dogs that were sold, among other duties. "I spent my teenage years in foster care, and I am blessed to be where I am today, so I want to give something back," said Blair, a team leader at Plant Barry. "We raised enough to send the kids there in a little bit of style," added Blair, who has been an APSO member for 12 years. "Mobile County Special Olympics rents a nice charter bus for them. They love it." During the Special Olympics of North Mobile at Satsuma High School, Melanie Christopher and her Mobile APSO team galvanized a working partnership with Barry APSO. The Alabama Power Foundation donated to the event. "We had several linemen who graciously volunteered. We helped direct parking and set up tents for the athletes," said Christopher, customer service supervisor - Mobile Division. "Some of us made snow cones and worked in the concession stand, serving snacks and drinks. Barry APSO members made the cotton candy. Western APSO volunteers helped athletes in the long jump.

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