Published On: 05.21.14 | 

By: Michael Sznajderman

Woodlawn family benefits from Green Home Giveaway

garden

mygreenmakeover splash1For the past four years, the online resource My Green Birmingham has worked with Alabama Power and other partners on the Green Home Giveaway. The energy efficiency renovation contest offers Birmingham homeowners the chance to receive improvements to their homes that will help improve their quality of life and add value to their community.

This year, My Green Birmingham partnered with the nonprofit Woodlawn Foundation, which is dedicated to positive change in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Birmingham, to help the Storey family who has lived in the revitalizing community since 1974.

“We have seen this community change through the years. It has been good to see the positive change these past few years,” said Essie Storey.

Representatives from Alabama Power conducted an in-home inspection to identify improvements that could be made to the Storey home to make it more energy efficient.

Alabama Power Market Specialist Jill Sills said the recommendations included replacing the home’s drafty old windows with more energy-efficient ones. Also recommended was a high-efficiency heat pump and heat pump water heater. “It is so exciting to help a family like the Storeys, who have seen the revitalization of Woodlawn first-hand. These enhancements will provide a safer and healthier environment.”

Alabama Power donated the heat pump water heater and worked with Turn Key Heating and Air to install the ductless heat pump system that was provided by other partners. Home Depot provided funds through their veterans grant program and brought the Storeys trays of flowers and shrubs to place in their garden.mygreenmakeover splash5

Arnold King, president of the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association, said he was thrilled to see the improvements taking place at the Storey home. King helped connect the Storey family with the Woodlawn Foundation.

“I grew up in this neighborhood and went to school with the Storey’s children,” King said. “When Mrs. Storey approached me about helping her, I wanted to try my best to see what was available to her and we found that with the Woodlawn Foundation.It is such a blessing to help someone who has seen this community at its worst and has been here through it all, King said. “We are not worried about the past. We are looking forward to what the future has to hold.”