Power of Good

6 the women's home under the wing of OFA (both places create a nurturing family situation for people in transition or crisis). And what about the needed insulation at the women's facility or, for that matter, flooring for its new addition? So much need, and the right company to understand. And act. The actions began early with Alabama Pow- er's donation of about $30,000 worth of record- ing and sound equipment to the Dugger Moun- tain cause. The energy assessments revealed ways to cut costs and, indeed, those outdated gas furnaces will be replaced by energy-efficient heat pumps. In the meantime, with $2,200 from the Alabama Power Foundation, plus man-hours and installa- tion from Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), the women's home received its new vinyl flooring and insulation. In fact, 12 APSO employees volunteered 146 service hours to complete the project themselves, adding their own $500 in supplies. Today, Alabama Power rep- resentatives continue to contribute, guiding McLeod to- ward applying for future grants, like NEEP (the Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund's Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program). "It's worth more to me than anything I've ever done" explains Julia Segars, vice president of Alabama Power's Eastern Division and a key player in the process. "Anything we've given them has come back to us many times over. It was put in our path at the right time for the right reason." That's exactly what happens. McLeod, who has never staged a fundraiser in his three decades of service, admits that things just seem to come along when they're needed. For instance, take the Nashville friend who received divine instruction to give analog recording Bob McLeod, founder and director of Our Father's Arms and Dugger Mountain Music Hall, shares how the two work together to aid the community.

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