Power of Good

PowerofGood.com | Summer 2014 7 equipment to McLeod (who, mysti- fied but accepting, had absolutely nothing to do with it at the time). Then, consider the call a year later from the Calhoun Baptist Associa- tion offering Our Father's Arms a dilapidated old church building. McLeod prayerfully questioned its purpose as he said another grateful yes. When the idea of a music hall emerged, bringing the building and the equipment together, musicians stepped forward to fill the space with bluegrass, country, and, later, even Celtic and jazz. Friends and neighbors eagerly showed up for pre- show suppers and monthly concerts. Women from the OFA home pre- pared the food; the OFA men, hav- ing provided their "work therapy" to restore the place, served as staff. As if it were all just meant to be. Surely this was the achievement. But no. Apparently, an audience of some 80 people in a restored church just wasn't enough. No one asked for what happened next but, of course, it happened anyway. "A friend of mine said we needed to be on TV," explains McLeod who, once again, said yes and called on Anniston's Tom Potts and his Potts Marketing Group to tape and edit some 30-minute shows. After popu- lar airings in the Huntsville market, the same friend called again. "He said 'I'm part of another network called The Walk with 255 channels – mind if I shoot it to them?' We went from 80 people once a month to 80 million homes a week in 43 states, Curacao and the Virgin Islands." Potts picks it up from there. "We did that for about a year and a half, then got a call from The Nashville Network (now The Heartland Net- work)," he says. "We suddenly added another 22 million homes, mostly in the Southeast U.S. Then, somebody told Alabama Public Television about us – and we're on weekly." The estimated reach now: 115 million homes, hearing music sup- plied by artists who donate their time and hearts. A generous $25,000 Alabama Power Foundation award enabled the first true sponsorship of the televised programs. Jacksonville State University matched the sponsorship (also providing video students who help produce the broadcasts); the Calhoun County Chamber of Com- merce and county government also sponsor. The only "message" in the shows is a 90-second nugget from Bob McLeod himself, who explains OFA's mission: helping every walk of life regardless of ability to pay. He calls Dugger Mountain the "high profile of a low-profile ministry" and talks of the "homes of healing and hope for individuals and families in crisis." Then come the three key words: For more information. "Now, 100 mil- lion people have the opportunity to ask about our work," he reflects. "If you're not interested, then enjoy the music. No strings attached." That's the way Alabama Power approaches Dugger Mountain too – with good intentions and no strings. "We helped launch them and that's a point of pride," Segars says. In turn, McLeod adds, "The Alabama Power family has become a part of the Our Father's Arms family and vice versa. It has been an encouragement to see a company come forward and help. It's humbling and a true blessing." Perhaps Tom Potts puts it best. "What you've got here is a win-win- win-win kind of thing all the way around. A bona fide miracle." The walk network, thewalktv.wordpress.com, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. (14 affiliates in Alabama) The Heartland network (formerly The nashville network), watchheartlandtv.com, Sunday, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Alabama Public Television, aptv.org, Tuesday, 10 p.m. Central time zone for all times DUGGeR On TV To attend a free taping and supper, visit duggermountainmusichall.com for schedules and contact information. Reserve your place promptly. Seats are highly sought-after and go quickly.

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