POWERGRAMS

Dd You mne To et or 10 Paying it forward never felt so good. For many members of the Barry Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), that uplifting feeling comes from projects such as the 12th annual Michael Perkins Clay Shoot. After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, members are among about 40 teams again taking part in the popular shooting clays competition at Bushy Creek Clays in Perdido. The event has drawn huge support since 2010, when Barry APSO founded the clay shoot in honor of Michael Perkins, the son of former Barry Maintenance employee Buddy Perkins Buddy Perkins. As longtime supporters of the Cystic Fibrosis Chapter in Mobile, Barry APSO joined the Perkins family in raising money to help battle the illness. Though Michael died at 27 on May 14, 2011, the spring fundraiser became a long-standing tradition. "We weren't able to hold this in '20 or '21, and we want to get back to doing this for our community," said Barry APSO communications lead Amanda Amanda Lofton Lofton. Lofton made the call for volunteers in February, noting that such a large event requires about 20 workers to be successful. Longtime volunteers Joe Joe Baas Baas, Cherie Gatlin Cherie Gatlin and Stacy Simmons Stacy Simmons are helping with logistics for the project. Baas is chef, grilling lunch for about 160 participants after they compete. When the Mobile Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation closed, Lofton and other Barry APSO members continued the clay shoot in support of children's charities in Mobile. This year, funds are earmarked for Magic Moments and Ronald McDonald House Charities in Mobile. Both groups received a financial gift from Barry APSO at the 2021 Contributions Breakfast. In the first few years, the clay shoot fundraiser brought in about $6,000. As support has grown, so have the earnings – up to $30,000. "We wanted this to stay a children's charity," said Lofton, contractor support specialist - Plant Barry. "This grew from friendship – I and so many others at our plant knew Bud." Before the clay shoot's founding, Lofton had met Michael Perkins at a Halloween costume party and had worked with his sister, Brooke, at another company. To Lofton, the mission is personal: It's her way of remembering Michael Perkins and helping the less fortunate in her community. When she was a youngster, Lofton's single mom couldn't provide everything her household needed despite working a full-time job. "A lot of the things I did, such as playing ball at the local park and things like that, I got to do because of other people sponsoring teams," said Lofton, 2022 APSO state vice president. "Because otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to participate. So, I kind of know what it's like to be able to do something that you wouldn't be able to do without other people's help. I want to pay it forward. I want to make sure that kids are able to do the things they wouldn't be able to do. "Some can't do things for medical reasons," she said. "That's one of the big reasons we are APSO Plant Barry's clay shoot helps kids aided by two Mobile charities Cherie Gatlin (center) and Amanda Lofton sign in shooters at registration table. Volunteers (from left) Roger Pettis and his son, Kaleb; Michael Duke; Kevin Lynch; Vance Snow; and head chef Joe Baas prepare lunch in 2019.

• Cover