Connections

6 Somewhere out there, Tony Smith must have a "double." That is the nearest explanation for how Smith summons the time and energy to work seemingly nonstop – into late afternoons and on the weekends – on almost endless projects to benefit communities throughout Southern Division. With members of the Southern Division Chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) thronging to assist in about 40 projects in 2013, Smith always seemed to be the common denominator. Whether installing sod in a neighborhood park, reading to fourth-graders at Montgomery-area schools, landscaping a United Way agency, removing debris at a Renew Our Rivers cleanup or lending a hand to build a Habitat home, Smith's friendly face was a mainstay in the many photos that recorded such events. Smith, a Customer Service supervisor in Southern Division, invested lots of personal time to chapter work days. That, in itself, doesn't necessarily merit the Patsy Topazi Award, APSO's top honor for leadership. But Smith had purposed to be "a completely hands-on" president. "It was my internal goal to go to each of our areas, within our APSO sub-chapters, to reach out and assist them," said Smith, an active APSO member for 5 years. "The important thing is, we were successful in what we wanted to do. We wanted to be really visible in our communities." With a "stretch" goal to perform at least 5,000 volunteer hours, Southern Division members worked on some 40 projects for charitable agencies and groups. The final tally – more than 7,000 volunteer hours performed – was proof of employees' dedication to making a real difference in their communities. "We had no idea we'd surpass our goal the way we did," Smith said. Among that work was Southern APSO's new, signature effort to help beautify the Child Protect Children's Advocacy Center in Montgomery. Child Protect is a nonprofit that serves four central Alabama counties, assisting approximately 600 child abuse victims a year, according to Executive Director Jannah Bailey. "We exist to minimize that trauma and help rebuild young lives shattered by child abuse," Bailey said. Child Protect Children's Advocacy Center provides a nonthreatening environment where a multidisciplinary team works together to minimize further trauma during the justice and restoration process. "It's a great agency," Smith said. "It's a tragic thing when harm is done to a child." With Montgomery Office Manager Noah Rocker, Smith spearheaded a two-day work project last spring to paint the building's trim and re-stripe the parking lot, clean the inside, glaze windows and perform landscaping at the nonprofit's headquarters in downtown Montgomery. More than 10 Southern APSO members showed up to assist, to the delight of Child Protect's six employees. "Being a nonprofit, we don't have extra funding for painting and lawn care," Bailey said. "When Tony called and brought his group over, we were so happy. The outside of our building looked a little sad and drab. That's the last thing we want for children who are coming here with their families." But Smith's efforts didn't stop there. He was among members who, at APSO's state board meeting on Feb. 28, encouraged other chapters to get involved in projects to help support agencies that protect and advocate for Alabama's children. "When we look at our communities and see the needs, it's really up to us, those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to help," said Smith, whose wife, Kimberly, and 20-year-old son, Dorian, also assist APSO. "We have to make sacrifices to help others. When you go into a school and see a child's face light up, that makes the difference." Smith praised members of his Southern Division APSO board for their support. "Our board really came together and worked hard," he said. "We had to implement new policies with our chapter chairs, and they got on board. That's why we were successful." From Bailey's viewpoint, cloning Smith – and several of his fellow APSO members – would be just fine. "They did amazing work," Bailey said. "Several of them even came back on the second day to do touch-up work for us. We are so grateful, so thankful to them. It was awesome." By Donna Cope Southern leader Smith wins Topazi award Topazi Award winners Smith (left) and Stacy Simmons – who received the 2013 honor – are strong servant leaders.

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