POWERGRAMS

8 Jason Newby knew there was trouble when, 20 minutes after his wife's baby was delivered, their pediatrician said: "We need to talk." "This is when she advised us Alivia had Down syndrome and we needed to get to the closest NICU," said Newby, a Distribution specialist in Brewton. That would be 90 miles away at the University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile. "The nurses advised us about Ronald McDonald House," Newby recalled. "I had never heard of any kind of place like that." But the room, food and comfort Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) freely provided Newby, his wife and their sons, Jordan and Lucas, during Alivia's monthlong stay made a lasting impression. So much so that Newby is now chairman of volunteer efforts of the Mobile chapter of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) to cook meals for families at RMHC. "I take much pride setting up this project because I know from personal experience how having a cooked meal that I did not have to prepare or buy was a blessing," Newby said. The Plant Barry APSO chapter also assists with cooking meals four times a year. "When we have groups like Alabama Power prepare and serve a meal, it helps our families concentrate more on their child than how and when they are going to eat," said Tamara Perry, family services coordinator at RMCH of Mobile. "By serving those meals in our dining area, the guests of RMHC are able to bond and connect with others having a common connection with the child." Around the world in 63 countries, RMHC keeps families of hospitalized children intact when they have to go far from home for care, providing comfortable rooms and food. In Mobile, more than 5,300 families have been served since 2000, now in a newly expanded 38-room facility on Spring Hill Avenue near Mobile Infirmary and the Children's and Women's Hospital. Mobile APSO has about 10 volunteers who buy food and ingredients and prepare lunch or dinner in the RMHC kitchen. "The highlight is we get to interact with the RMHC staff as well as the families," said Ryan Allenbach, a Mobile Division market specialist. In 2015, APSO donated pots, pans, cutting boards, utensils, knives and other kitchen items. "We like to donate Little Debbie snacks and other goodies for families to be able to grab on the go so they can get to the hospital to be with their families," Allenbach said. Plant Barry APSO members cook with the help of 10 to 12 volunteers. In addition, they provide wish-list items for Christmas. RMHC emerged on Barry APSO's radar in 2012 when members visited United Way agencies in Mobile. "During the tour, another volunteer group was preparing a meal for the families at RMHC, who were very appreciative, as they did not have the funds nor time to fix a home-cooked meal," said Amanda Lofton, a Barry Power Generation analyst. "We asked if we could help prepare a meal, and learned we could schedule a date to come out and cook. We prepared our first meal within a month and have been returning every quarter since then." One grateful recipient is Priscilla Evangelista, who eight months into her pregnancy gave birth to 12-ounce daughter Lylah, who is now up to 3.5 pounds. "Groups like Alabama Power help restore your faith in humanity," Evangelista said. Newby described what resonates most for him about their time at RMHC during now-5-year-old Alivia's hospital stay. "At no time did we have to provide anything for ourselves but clean clothes. Food, drinks and snacks were always available. I can remember there was never a time they asked us for anything, even money," Newby recalled. "That time in my life, my family and I were in need and RMHC was there with open arms wanting to help, and I will never forget." APSO EMPLOYEES COOK SO FAMILIES CAN CARE FOR LOVED ONES Our Daily Bread By Gilbert Nicholson Mobile employees prepare meals at Ronald McDonald House. Alivia helped spur APSO efforts. Photo by Dan Anderson

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