POWERGRAMS

22 Love of community fuels Sampson's desire to volunteer Helping others has always been important to Shannon Sampson. The Southeast Energizers president said it's fundamental: "I have always enjoyed serving others." Sampson worked for 32 years at Farley Nuclear Plant until her April 2018 retirement as training support manager. A 1984 graduate of Alabama A&M University with a bachelor's degree in zoology and a minor in chemistry, Sampson was the first Black and first female to serve as the plant's radiation protection manager. While at Farley, she volunteered for 10 years with the Southeast Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO). Joining Energizers – the service arm for Alabama Power and Southern Company retirees in Alabama – was a natural next step after retirement. It wasn't long before she was drafted to serve on the board of the Southeast Division Energizers. Sampson is a longtime volunteer for numerous causes. In the late 1990s, she was a candy striper volunteer at Southeast Health Medical Center in Dothan. About 20 years ago, she became heavily involved in Make-A- Wish after her niece and nephew became recipients, prompting her to take the project to Farley APSO. "At Farley, we had a group of employees who became 'wish granters' when there was a shortage of volunteers in southeast Alabama," she said, with several employees receiving training from Make-A-Wish in Birmingham. Relying heavily on volunteers, Make-A-Wish has served to create life-changing wishes for more than 360,000 critically ill children across the U.S. and its territories since 1980. "It can be heart-wrenching sometimes," said Sampson, who helped fulfill wishes for many youngsters. "They tell you not to get attached, but you can't help it." Sampson has been instrumental on the Headland Main Street Committee, after becoming a member of that board for about three years. The committee has held fundraisers for Wiregrass United Way, ranging from a silent auction and "wing night" to sales of pork loins and yard sales. "Part of the focus is to bring more activity and more businesses to our downtown, Headland Square," said Sampson, whose efforts center on promotions, planning and providing volunteer services for events. One of the biggest is Under the Oaks, an outdoor concert in the park, during which residents enjoy live bands and food vendors. The event is held every third Friday from April to October. "As a sponsor, I would go up there and help welcome the crowd," Sampson said. In March, the Headland Chamber of Commerce celebrated Sampson, honoring her with the prestigious Gemmy Award for community service. Turning tragedy into a cause to help others In addition to her work in Headland, Sampson puts much time and planning into publicizing the need for ENERGIZERS Sampson, Southeast Energizers president, has been a volunteer for numerous causes since the late 1990s. The Headland Chamber of Commerce presented Sampson (center) with the prestigious Gemmy Award.

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