Volunteers spruce up Civil Rights Institute playground
Members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), along with students from two high schools, spent a recent weekend morning brightening up the children’s playground at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
About 20 volunteers from APSO’s Magic City Chapter and from Hoover and Gardendale high schools took advantage of a sunny, warm Saturday to scrape and repaint the playground set at the park. Thousands of youngsters use the playground every year during field trips to the institute and to nearby civil rights landmarks such as the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park.
The project, one of a series of “Power To Protect” events scheduled through April involving Alabama Power volunteers, was supported by the institute and the Birmingham Park and Recreation Board.
A joint effort
Lisa Spears, president of APSO Magic City, said the chapter plans to continue working in cooperation with partners to help keep the playground looking its best. The playground is located just a few blocks from Alabama Power’s corporate headquarters.
“It’s part of our company’s culture to give back to the community,” Spears said as the volunteers put the finishing touches on the project. “And we have other groups in our community, Hoover High School and Gardendale High School, here – also giving back.”
Before cleaning their brushes, the more than 20 volunteers gathered for a group picture in front of the gleaming playground set, freshly painted “Park Board Green.”
Power To Protect events in April include eight Renew Our Rivers volunteer cleanups, tree plantings and other projects aimed at educating students about conservation. Other projects highlight efforts around the state to protect Alabama’s natural resources.
About 5,500 Alabama Power, Southern Nuclear and Southern Company Services employees in Alabama and their families are members of APSO. The independent, nonprofit volunteer organization has 10 chapters across the state.
APSO members typically donate more than 50,000 volunteer hours to Alabama communities each year.
