POWERGRAMS

RECREATION W hen you see a need, find a way to fill it. That was Malinda Golden's response when she realized the city of Eufaula did not have a Special Olympics. After assisting the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) in a Special Olympics in another city, Golden wondered, "Why don't we have something like this where we live?" She knew her 11-yearold son, Michael, who has Down syndrome, would enjoy the event. But, Eufaula had not held a Special Olympics for more than 22 years. "I saw how much the children enjoyed themselves, and wanted Golden, front center, was assisted by Southeast/Farley APSO volunteers. the children in Eufaula City Schools to have the same "Malinda has done an enormous aged pre-kindergarten to adults, experience," said Golden, Field amount of work for this cause," enjoyed themselves. Services representative for the said Haynes, Transmission Lines "The day could not have been Phenix City Office and a member engineer, Southern Division a success without the Alabama of the International Brotherhood Office. "Her volunteerism really Power Foundation, our APSO of Electrical Workers Local 796. kicked off with supporting APSO, members and everyone else Golden's first effort was to talk when she volunteered for the first pulling together as a team," with her son's special education time at the Wiregrass Area Buddy Golden said. "It was remarkable. teacher, Lynn Baker, about the Walk for Down syndrome about The kids were all so happy idea. Baker was optimistic, so three years ago in support of her because they were competing in Golden contacted the state son." something they'd only been able Special Olympics. With Baker's Golden said she owed a debt of to see on television. We wanted to help, Golden broached a plan to gratitude to the APSO volunteers, make it special for the children. members of the Eufaula Board who included Christy Coats, At the end of the day, the of Education. Knowing the Michael Cunningham, Chloe emphasis wasn't on winning times event would require dedicated Davis, Sebastian Dixon, Tracy and numbers, but on being there volunteers, Golden talked with Dismukes, Erma Floyd, Willie and having a good time." fellow members of APSO's Guilford, Charles Hagler, Southeast Division Vice Southeast/ President and longtime APSO Farley Chapter. member Richard Hutto awarded Southeast medals to each child who took Division Office part. Manager "It was just a neat day for the Ralph Bellamy kids," Golden said. "No one got presented hurt, it went smoothly and made a grant memories for a lifetime." administered by the Alabama By Donna Cope Power Foundation, which Golden's team used to Employees assisted Special Olympics. buy materials. However, Roderick Harris, Pamela Hill, Golden discovered there was a Janet Hovey, Christopher lot more required than being "an Jackson, Kathleen Mitchell, idea person." She took six hours Cody Prickett, Lisa Roberts, of classroom training by Special Jake Taylor, Teel Traylor and Olympics, required to coach the Haynes. children. "All of our volunteers were When the day came, fellow outstanding," Golden said. "They employees were on hand for were all so great, so willing to support. APSO State President work with our special-needs Katrina Haynes said members children. They got the food, were proud to help Golden, as helped organize and set up." children enjoyed events including Thanks to Alabama Power's help, running and throwing the Golden said, all 50 participants, shotput. Photos by Katrina Haynes Eufaula children took part in first local Special Olympics in 22 years. Special Olympics is Golden, thanks to Eufaula employee PAGE 5

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