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74 The Energizers group is a nonprofit volunteer organization consisting of Alabama Power and Southern Company retirees and their spouses who are commied to serving the communities of Alabama. From building school playgrounds, delivering meals and helping with Habitat for Humanity projects to volunteering at hospitals and nursing homes, and assisting with adult literacy programs, the Energizers are involved in their communities. Alabama Power's Energizers pitched in a record $108,000 to "Project Lifesaver," a project that provides funding for the purchase of transmier bracelets and receivers that can provide vital assistance to search-and-rescue efforts. The donation was the single largest contribution to the project. "I'm proud of what we did because this program saves lives," said Bob O'Daniel, 76 and president of the Energizers. Alabama now has the distinction of having all 67 counties participating in the transmier bracelet program to locate missing people with Alzheimer's disease or autism. "We've had tremendous support from Alabama Power," said Stan Stabler, director of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. "Organizations like the Energizers make projects like this a reality. Without them, it's not possible." Stabler joined sheriffs from around the state at Alabama Power's Clanton office March 31 for a celebration to commemorate the milestone of each county having at least two radio receivers and two bracelets with transmiers. Gene Saunders, founder and CEO of Project Lifesaver, aended the event. Each bracelet costs $300 and has its own frequency, allowing law enforcement to track individuals who get lost. Those who qualify for free bracelets include people with Alzheimer's disease, autism, Down syndrome and cognitive disorders causing short-term memory loss. Training is provided by Corp. Kent Smith of the Alabama State Trooper's Aviation Unit, which is oen called on for search-and- rescue missions. But the program is implemented by county sheriff departments. "We have 5 million people in the United States with Alzheimer's and 80,000 in the state of Alabama," Smith said. "Sixty percent will at some time wander off. If we search nine hours for a missing person, which is the average, where are we going? To the hospital. With these bracelets, the average time it takes to find them is 15 to 30 minutes." Energizers Are Nation's Biggest Contributor to "Project Lifesaver" Energizers ENERGIZERS THE ENERGIZERS HAVE 11 CHAP TERS HE ADQUAR TERED ACROSS THE S TATE: Birmingham Chapter Chilton County Chapter (Clanton) Corporate Chapter (Birmingham) Eastern Chapter (Anniston) E.C. Gaston Chapter (Wilsonville) Gadsden Chapter Jasper Chapter Mobile Chapter Southeast Chapter (Eufaula) Southern Chapter (Montgomery) Western Chapter (Tuscaloosa)

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