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67 Alabama Power Service Organization Years APSO has served Alabama 25 Volunteer hours APSO has donated to schools and nonprofits across the state 1 million+ E AS TERN A sense of community is one of the charming things about life in the South. A great example of that can be found in the eastern part of the state, where nonprofits, individuals and corporate volunteers work together each year to help children start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed. The Eastern Division chapter of APSO works closely with Eleanor Clinkscales, a former law firm employee in her 80s, who has been collecting school supplies for students in need for 32 years. By joining with APSO members and other dedicated community helpers, she can reach her goal of assisting nearly 160 students within the St. Clair and Pell City school systems each year. APSO has been involved with the school supply drive for three years and has reached 26 schools. By coordinating with school counselors, members are able to work with families and help every student who shows a need for supplies. Money for supplies is collected throughout the year through yard sales, spaghei lunches, candle sales and more. Aer distributing school supplies to children identified by counselors, APSO donates remaining supplies to each participating school. Two other partners in this project are Refuge Ministries and Children's Place. Refuge Ministries is a nonprofit based out of Refuge Baptist Church in Ragland. This organization works closely with Clinkscales, supporting her and children across eastern Alabama. Children's Place, or St. Clair County Children's Advocacy Center, is based in Pell City and takes the bags of school supplies to the different districts in the area. Thanks to these two organizations, the remaining supplies can be easily distributed to each classroom within the two school systems. "I just love giving back and knowing that kids will have school supplies on their first day," said Eastern Division APSO project chair Amanda Young. SOUTHERN On August 5, 2016, Alabama Power's Selma Business Office opened its doors to reveal more than 200 backpacks full of school supplies for local children in need. This was the fourth year of the Southern Division's signature project – Backpack Giveaway – usually held a week before school starts. Latonia Tisdale, Southern Division APSO president, got involved with the effort because she wanted "to show support for the students and show them that education is important." In 2015, APSO was able to distribute backpacks to 100 children in foster care. In 2016, the chapter donated more than double that number to kids of all ages. The only requirement was that the children had to be present to receive a backpack. APSO volunteers helped stuff the backpacks and set up the giveaway. Those who came enjoyed popcorn and juice.

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