POWERGRAMS

Powergrams wins international, state awards In April, the publication won three Gold awards in the international Hermes communication competition and took first place in the Alabama Media Professionals contest in May. As a state winner, the newsletter moves forward to National Federation of Press Women judging, with winners to be announced at an awards ceremony on Sept. 13. (Photo by Phil Free) 4 With the weather warming up, company volunteers have set to work on projects that brighten residents' spirits and demonstrate they are valued and supported. The Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) made a difference this spring by performing more than 20 beautification projects statewide. Members refreshed surroundings at several schools; cleaned, planted and refurbished public gardens; and painted and removed litter at lakes, parks, schools and civic areas. The work was done free of charge in service to communities and nonprofits. Western Division APSO volunteers worked in Fayette's communitywide cleanup and helped the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce pick up trash and debris in downtown Eutaw. They lent a hand at Earth Day festivities at Vernon City Park and beautified Maddox Intermediate School in Jasper, adding new planters, pruning trees and cleaning a nearby stream. Western employees helped York West End Junior High School with pressure washing and other chores that made children's surroundings more welcoming. Southern APSO volunteers gladly rolled up their sleeves to beautify Brantwood Children's Home in Montgomery, which shelters at-risk, abused and neglected children. They also cleaned the three- field facility and public pavilions at Dunbar Park in Greenville, adding pine straw and colorful bedding plants. "Knowing the importance of this space and the many people who visit, our Southern APSO team was fully committed to ensuring the campus is as beautiful as the mission of the organization," said Andrea Johnson, staff accounting assistant in Revenue Accounting - Montgomery Business Office. Magic City APSO members spruced up Birmingham's historic, 37-acre Avondale Park, cleaning, pruning trees, and removing plant debris and trash. Magic City APSO President Deirdre Thomas noted that volunteers will clean the park on the second Saturday every month this year. Volunteers helped Birmingham Botanical Gardens prepare for its annual spring plant sale and cleaned up afterward. They also worked in the Cahaba River Renew Our Rivers (ROR) cleanup. Volunteers put heart and muscle into beautifying public spaces Several Southeast/Farley APSO members helped in removing 3 tons of trash during Lake Eufaula's ROR event. Southeast Division APSO volunteers Jessica Dean and Brooke Goff assisted in the Eufaula 4-H Club's Lake Day event. Miller APSO volunteers built new planter boxes for vegetables and flowers tended by residents and staff of Cordova Health and Rehabilitation. Ten Barry APSO members replanted expansive gardens in the outdoor classroom at Lee Elementary School in Satsuma. Barry APSO's Cherie Gatlin wrote a Good Roots Grant application for the school. She and other board members, with Lee Elementary School teacher Samantha Tallent, were thrilled to learn the Alabama Power Foundation approved the $1,000 grant. Barry's garden redo had three-fold results: It improved the environment, enhanced students' educational experience and supported ecological sustainability. Tallent said the project allows children to engage with nature, understand the importance of environmental stewardship and cultivate a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors. Eastern Division APSO President Julie Couch and her volunteer team helped lead Cleburne County Middle School's cleanup, modeling the importance of good stewardship and citizenship. About 121 students worked in the event, in conjunction with North Alabama Trails & Recreation and Alabama Power. Alabama Power supplied the children with gloves, pickers, bags and neon green T-shirts. Children enjoyed a picnic lunch with "the wonderful Alabama Power volunteers and sponsors," said Jennifer Swafford, Cleburne Middle School counselor. "When all was said and done, the children had collected over 1,200 pounds of litter, garbage and debris. It was a great day. We are not trying to just teach reading and math – we're really trying to impress upon our students to be good people." Eastern APSO worked with Cleburne County Middle School. Dallas Kelley helped Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Cindy Johnston and Cherie Gatlin repaired paving at Lee Elementary. Chris Ward and Johnston worked at Lee Elementary. Arnita Archie and Markell Helbron helped Brantwood Children's Home. "Barry APSO has been wonderful. They were so very eager to help, and so nice. I just can't say enough good things." – Samantha Tallent, science lab facilitator - Lee Elementary School (Julie Couch) (Deirdre Thomas) (Amanda Lofton) (Amanda Lofton) (Andrea Johnson)

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