POWERGRAMS

12 "We help more than 5,000 children in the Birmingham area every Christmas," he said. "Without the support of the golf tournament, it just wouldn't happen." During Glick's years in the Salvation Army, he and his wife have served throughout the Midwest, including Chicago, Kansas City, Lile Rock, Arkansas, and Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The couple has lived in Birmingham for more than a year. "APSO does this fundraising, and then they help shop, too," Glick said. "It's full circle. I love it." Helping the homeless is high on Magic City APSO's Christmas list, chapter President Wilbur Johnson said. To help needy residents stay warm this winter, members set up coat collection bins at Corporate Headquarters. Volunteers delivered the coats to Community Kitchens, a nonprofit sponsored by St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Birmingham. Customer Accounting Analyst Carolyn Therrell spearheaded efforts to help homeless women through Purses with Purpose, partnering with Be a Blessing Birmingham. Magic City members gave socks, toiletries and other items to Eastview Nursing Home residents. Volunteers will shop for gis for children at the YWCA-Birmingham, and will give 100 restaurant coupons, worth $5 each, to preteens. Making a list, checking it twice Southern Division APSO President Edaine Wilson said her chapter members are excited to serve and give back to their communities. "Christmas is our favorite time of the year," Wilson said. Montgomery sub-area members will buy gis for about 20 children at the Family Sunshine Center, which helps victims of family violence in and around the city. "We want to make sure the children wake up on Christmas morning with a smile on their faces," she said. Tallassee sub-area members take applications for families to receive help from the ACTS (Association of Christians in Tallassee for Service) Christmas program, which is funded by churches. ACTS has a food pantry and clothing closet. Tallassee members will buy three toys for 20 children, to be given with a box of food for the Christmas meal. "The ACTS project is a favorite of our Tallassee members," Wilson said. Plant Barry APSO members have worked all year to provide a merry Christmas for less fortunate children, said chapter President Kevin Lynch. "It's a big deal for us," said Lynch, a Barry planner. "We do a lot of ongoing things. In December, we'll have a children's birthday party at the Home of Grace. We've had Chick-fil-A and doughnut sales at Plant Barry." Barry APSO's major fundraisers – a clay shoot in April, and the E.R. Covington Golf Tournament and the Bass Tournament in August – provide funds that allow members to spend $500 for each child sponsored through Mobile County Department of Human Resources. "In early December, about 30 members shop at Walmart for children's Christmas presents," said Lynch, a Barry APSO member for 18 years. Barry "elves" will make a special delivery to needy families in the Mobile area on Christmas Eve, providing a holiday dinner of turkey, cranberry sauce, green beans, tea and dessert, said Employee Development Coordinator Stacy Simmons Walley. In December, Gaston APSO members shop for children sponsored through Chilton, Shelby, St. Clair and Talladega DHRs, as well as the Alabama Institute of Deaf and Blind and the Boys Club of Sylacauga. Thanks to the success of Plant Gaston's annual golf tournament and clay shoot, said Gaston APSO President Melissa Williamson, "We will spend anywhere from $150 to $225 for children's Christmas gis." Southeast/Farley APSO members volunteer in the Alabama Kidney Foundation's Present Project, sharing their gi-wrapping talents at Flowers Hospital in Dothan on Nov. 28. "Several members helped last year," said Southeast APSO President Jessica Gresse. In December, Southeast/Farley members assist in WinterFest celebrations along the Chaahoochee River.

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