Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) volunteers are easing children’s and families’ transition into the new school year by donating school supplies statewide and helping prevent childhood hunger.

Mobile APSO members display donated school supplies. (Erica Wells)

Several APSO chapters are sponsoring charitable projects that promote education, such as school-supply giveaways and helping at event fairs. Western Division APSO president Susie Harris said these activities are promoting education while helping lessen the financial burden many families experience at back-to-school time.

For instance, Western Division employees are helping their schools and children “full force,” said Harris, Community Relations manager of Alabama Power’s Eutaw Office. At a recent Power Delivery safety meeting, Western APSO members collected supplies and donations for their school supply drive on July 13- Aug. 3.

“In addition, some employees mailed school supplies to our business office and we set up collection boxes at Greene County Steam Plant,” Harris said.

Western Division employees donated binders, notebooks, crayons, folders, scissors, rulers, pencils, markers, paper towels and tissue for schools in Greene, Marengo, Sumter and Walker counties.

Western APSO volunteers Berkley Horton (left), Miranda Lee and Rhonda Jones organize supplies. (Stevi Reese / Alabama Power)

Taking a different tack, Plant Gaston APSO is holding a “Beyond Back to School” drive Aug. 8-Aug. 19 to help teachers. Longtime Gaston APSO member Tabetha Lemonds said, “We provide things that parents forget to replenish: crayons, disinfectant wipes, glue, loose leaf paper, pencils, rulers and scissors – anything you’d buy for a student.” Gaston APSO members nominate and randomly select teachers in Chilton, Shelby and Talladega counties to receive supplies.

Mobile APSO President Tripp Ward made the call to hold school-supply drives at several business offices, where Alabama Power employees and customers filled blue collection barrels to help local children. Mobile APSO volunteers will deliver crayons, notebooks, paper, scissors and other supplies to several elementary schools.

Mobile APSO’s Tionne Robinson shows off supplies. (Erica Wells / Alabama Power)

Mobile APSO’s Johnetta Jackson (left) and Carol Birdwell show off supplies. (Erica Wells / Alabama Power)

Mobile APSO’s Mike Watson, left, and Shayne Hennis show off supplies. (Erica Wells / Alabama Power)

Plant Barry APSO is boosting North Mobile County K-8 School in Axis through monetary and school-supply donations. Amanda Lofton, communication lead for Barry APSO, said volunteers set up collection bins at four plant locations where employees can donate supplies through Aug. 12. “We want to help the kids and teachers get a good start by providing classroom supplies,” said Barry APSO President Sharon Meier. North Mobile County K-8 School, one of Barry APSO’s three partner schools, requested disinfectant cleaning wipes, hand sanitizers, Kleenex and other supplies.

Magic City and Southeast/Farley APSO chapters are supporting kids through Backpacks for Buddies projects. With many students relying on schools’ free meal programs for breakfast and lunch, Backpacks for Buddies supplies snack bags filled with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for weekends. Magic City set up collection bins for employees to fill through September with individually packed foods. They will deliver the items to Vineyard Family Services, a family resource center that feeds children in need. Food donations from Southeast/Farley APSO will help kids at Eufaula Primary School.

Eastern Division APSO members recently helped at Kidz Day Out in Anniston. APSO volunteers unloaded vehicles, greeted guests and helped set up games, food and vendors for the enjoyment of more than 70 children.

Eastern APSO’s Dana McFarland did a variety of tasks for Kidz Day Out. (Dana McFarland / Alabama Power)

Eastern APSO member Dana McFarland helps a child with a game. (Dana McFarland / Alabama Power)

Children enjoyed the Kidz Day Out event. (Dana McFarland / Alabama Power)

Eastern APSO member Dana McFarland helps children with a game. (Dana McFarland / Alabama Power)

Kidz Day Out co-founder Maya Walker praised Eastern APSO. “They gave more than 100 free backpacks with school supplies for every grade, along with four racks of clothing and shoes for all ages.”

Eastern APSO member Dana McFarland and her mother, Patricia Triplett, worked to make the day a success. McFarland was impressed with Walker and her team’s “amazing work for the youths in the community.” Similar to APSO’s mission, the goal of Kidz Day Out is to motivate, encourage and empower children to begin planning their future accomplishments.