To kick off the 2026-2027 Autauga County district’s school year, nearly 1,200 educators, support staff and community partners attended its annual Institute Day on Aug. 3 at Prattville High School.
The Institute Day gathering featured a meet-and-greet breakfast, rally and training sessions to fully equip Autauga School educators through the 2027 school year.
In Autauga County School Superintendent Lyman Woodfin’s opening address, he welcomed everyone back to celebrate the community’s wins. He laid out the key goals centered around the district’s shared mission to Engage, Excel and Equip, while championing student success.
Alabama Power set up a table to showcase financial resources, customer service tools and copies of the “Joe the Lineman” book to discuss with teachers.
Mary Katherine Andrews, former teacher, current Alabama Power community relations manager and Autauga Education Foundation board member, spoke at the event about the company’s commitment to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, grants, classroom engagement and customer service resources.
Educators, support staff and community partners attended Prattville’s Autauga County Schools Institute Day on Aug. 3. (Elmore / Autauga News)
“At Alabama Power, we recognize that strong schools and communities go hand in hand,” Andrews said. “Our company’s mission is not only to provide reliable energy, but also to support the people and places we serve. That includes investing in education, workforce development and opportunities that prepare students for the future, such as STEM programs, scholarships and volunteer efforts.
“Alabama Power offers several options that may help students and their families manage energy costs during difficult times,” Andrews added. “Eligible households may receive emergency bill payment assistance through Project SHARE, which is funded by donations and administered by local community action agencies and local nonprofit partners. Customers may also qualify for the Federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps cover heating and cooling expenses. The company also provides flexible payment arrangements and energy-saving resources to help families reduce monthly bills and avoid service interruptions. This is done though grant opportunities offered through our Foundation, covering everything from general classroom supplies, to field trip costs, outdoor classrooms and professional development expenses.”
Other highlights included honoring veteran staff members with 25 or more years of service. There was a special tribute to Shirley Thomas for 52 years of exceptional service to the school community. Dr. Amanda Gonzales-Jackson of Prattville Junior High School was named Teacher of the Year.
After Institute Day wrapped up, the educators and others returned to their individual campuses among the district’s 14 schools to prepare their classrooms.
To learn more about Autauga County Schools, visit autaugacountyschools.com.
For the complete list of resources and services, visit alabamapower.com and powerofgood.com.
]]>Both the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers started off this football season with wins but went about them in different ways. The Next Round guys provide a recap of the first week of the season.
The Next Round is hosted by Jim Dunaway, Ryan Brown and Lance Taylor, and can be watched on YouTube and Facebook or heard on smart speakers and podcast streaming live weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
]]>For many children, a lineworker is someone they see high above the ground, working from the bucket of a utility truck.
This summer, Alabama Power has been bringing those trucks – and the people who operate them – a little closer to home.
Through a series of Touch-a-Truck events across the state, Alabama Power lineworkers have connected with children and families at summer programs, minor league baseball games, libraries and other community gatherings.
For many of the kids, seeing the trucks was only the beginning. They climbed inside, explored the equipment, asked questions and got a firsthand look at some of what it takes to keep the lights on for Alabama. The excitement was hard to miss – and some parents and grandparents seemed just as fascinated.
The events serve a purpose beyond simply putting a big truck on display. They give customers an opportunity to interact with Alabama Power employees face to face, putting a human connection behind the company and the work it does every day.
For Power Delivery, that connection can help build familiarity and trust while giving young people an up-close look at the skills, teamwork and sense of purpose that come with working in the field.
“One of my favorite parts of Touch-a-Truck events is seeing kids’ faces light up when they get the chance to climb into a bucket truck and talk with our crews,” said Nick Hatcher, field service supervisor for Alabama Power and a former lineman. “They’re full of questions, and our guys love sharing about they do. It’s a fun way to show kids that being a lineman is more than a job. It’s a hands-on career that takes skill, problem-solving and a commitment to serving the community. You never know when one of those conversations might spark an interest that lasts a lifetime.”
At the same time, the events offer a glimpse into a career that many young people may not otherwise consider.
“Students may not know that those lineworkers in our trucks are working every day to power communities,” said Jason Watters, Workforce Development manager at Alabama Power. “These events are a great way to plant that seed, giving students an opportunity to see as many paths to career success as possible, and maybe one day see them in one of our lineworker training programs.”
Rick Jackson, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of the River Region, welcomed having Alabama Power lineworkers bring equipment to one of his Montgomery locations. They read the “Joe the Lineman” book to the kids before letting them interact with equipment and those who operate it.
“We want to show our young people different things and ways of life, how you can work, and what Alabama Power does for our community,” Jackson said. “When kids touch it, they feel it. They see the importance of it, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Whether a child is climbing into a bucket truck at a summer program or meeting a lineworker at the ballpark, the goal is the same: create a memorable connection with the people who power Alabama – and perhaps inspire the next generation to one day join them.
]]>Through Labor Day weekend in Alabama, afternoon temperatures will remain in the mid-to-upper 90s, with the heat index exceeding 100 degrees.
This late-summer spike mirrors intense heat waves felt nationwide:
- Temperatures across Alabama ran up to 5°F warmer than August 2025, driving cooling demand up as much as 40%.
- Areas of the state hit 90°F or higher on 27 of 31 days this month, a level of sustained heat not seen since 2011.
- Birmingham experienced its third-hottest August in the past 15 years.
David Huffstutler, Power Delivery data analytics manager for Alabama Power. (contributed)
“Behind every weather statistic are Alabama families and businesses working to stay cool during an exceptionally hot summer,” said David Huffstutler, Power Delivery data analytics manager for Alabama Power. “The information our teams track helps us understand how high temperatures affect energy use across the state, so we can proactively operate and maintain the grid, respond quickly to issues and keep power flowing when customers need it most.”
Below are some factors to keep in mind and ways to help reduce energy use:
What are the biggest energy wasters in most homes during extreme heat?
Air conditioning is the biggest driver of summer energy use. Dirty air filters, air leaks around doors and windows, and sunlight heating the home can make your AC work even harder.
Where should the thermostat realistically be set in a heat wave?
A good rule of thumb is to keep the thermostat as close to the outdoor temperature as possible while still staying comfortable, since every degree cooler requires the air conditioner to work harder and use more energy. Raising the thermostat 2-3 degrees could lower energy usage by up to 10%.
What’s the one quick change that could make the biggest payoff?
Check and replace a dirty air filter if needed. It’s simple, inexpensive and helps the cooling system operate more efficiently during the hottest months.
For the full list of ways to beat the heat and save, visit this article on alabamapower.com.
]]>In today’s world, it’s more important than ever for teenagers navigating the path to adulthood to develop communications and problem-solving skills — and the self-confidence that comes with them. Cultivating those and other abilities essential for personal growth and well-being is the mission of Studio 126, a free after-school program of the Wiregrass Museum of Art.
While helping kids ages 13-18 develop their skills, Studio 126 also enhances artistic abilities, encourages creative expression and contributes to meaningful connection with peers and mentors. Guided by experienced artists in a supportive studio environment, participating students learn foundational techniques in a variety of media, discover new tools and work on projects both independently and with other students.
During the 2025-2026 school year — the program’s second year — a total of 33 students representing 20 public, private, and homeschool programs across Houston, Geneva, Coffee, Dale and Henry counties, received free weekly instruction at the Wiregrass Museum, which is in Dothan. The students explored drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, 2D and 3D art and mural-making.
In addition to creating art, students learned to develop artist statements and biographies, curate a portfolio, present their art professionally. As a class project, the students collaborated with professional artist Sarah Painter to create a permanent mural on the museum’s lower level. The year concluded with a student-hosted art show that highlighted growth and achievements.
During its initial year of operation in 2024-2025, Studio 126 defrayed some expenses by charging students $5 per week to participate. Programming for 2025-2026 was made available free of charge through a grant from the Alabama Power Foundation, which recently awarded a second round of funding for the 2026-2027 school year now underway. The grant will help cover the costs of materials, staffing and studio operations.
Dana-Marie Lemmer, executive director of the Wiregrass Museum of Art. (contributed)
Having the Alabama Power Foundation grant renewed for a second year affirms the impact Studio 126 is having on young people, said Dana-Marie Lemmer, executive director of the Wiregrass Museum of Art.
“For many students,” said Lemmer, “this program is much more than an art class. It is a place where they feel accepted, challenged, inspired and empowered to discover their own creative voice.
“We are deeply grateful to the Alabama Power Foundation for investing in the future of our youth in the Wiregrass region.”
Building on the momentum created last school year, the 2026-2027 program seeks to expand the impact of Studio 126. That includes four key elements:
- Supporting students in their pursuit of college admissions and scholarship applications by working with them to develop professional art portfolios;
- Increasing opportunities for local and visiting artist workshops, modeled on the successful artist collaboration on the mural project; this year, students will be able to apply their skills to a project to benefit the community, revamping boxes the local library system maintains to provide free art supplies for children;
- Introducing large-scale group projects to encourage team building and promote critical thinking; students will also engage in a functional art challenge, using cardboard to engineer and create pieces ranging from sculptures to furniture to art frames.
- Building on the studio’s flexible, student-led structure that allows for experimentation with various materials and media, students will continue to receive mentorship for regional competitions; as in 2025-2026, they will also participate in — and curate — an exhibit of their art at the end of the school year.
Staci Brown Brooks, vice president of Charitable Giving for Alabama Power and president of the Alabama Power Foundation. (Alabama Power)
“Studio 126 is an important and impactful program,” said Staci Brown Brooks, vice president of Charitable Giving at Alabama Power and president of the Foundation. “We are pleased to continue our support of this very meaningful effort to help Alabama children fulfill their potential.”
Removing financial barriers and encouraging youth initiative and leadership, Studio 126 cultivates creativity, personal growth and a sense of belonging, said Joan McDonald, director of development for the Wiregrass Museum. That’s important for an age group that often lacks access to structured creative activities, she noted.
Joan McDonald, director of development for the Wiregrass Museum of Art. (contributed)
“This program fills a vital gap,” McDonald said. “This is an age group that often lacks sufficient access to structured creative activities and where they can interact with peers and friends in a safe, inclusive setting. Studio 126 is a way of meeting that need.”
To sustain Studio 126 over the long term, the Wiregrass Museum is working to expand its base of local and regional support. The growth plan anticipates continuing to build the program through a combination of grants, community partnerships and active donor engagement, establishing Studio 126 as a permanent offering in the museum’s youth education programming.
]]>Because summer is not quite over, the One Voice Shelter Coalition hosted 30 nonprofit organizations recently to explore Alabama Power’s home energy efficiency programs and discuss critical support needs for Lee County residents.
One Voice Shelter provides temporary and transitional housing for working individuals, women and families experiencing homelessness who struggle to find aid through traditional channels.
Jean Causey, co-founder and CEO, One Voice Shelter Coalition. (contributed)
Jean Causey, co-founder and CEO of the shelter, meets monthly with nonprofit organizations to address needs throughout the county.
“Anytime is the right time to prepare and find practical ways to manage energy, especially during the peak of summer,” Causey said. “I met Alabama Power community relations manager Rod Cater more than 20 years ago when he did an energy presentation. After hearing him speak at an event, I kept his business card all these years and decided to give him a call.”
“To meet Ms. Causey again after all these years was a full-circle moment,” said Cater. “Whenever there is an opportunity to educate people about energy usage, I really enjoy it.”
Alongside other guest speakers, Cater spoke about Alabama Power resources and services designed to empower attendees with education about how to wisely and efficiently consume energy in the home.
Other speakers included Stacy Bathrick, member of One Voice Coalition; Joe Davis, director of Good News Rapid Rehousing; Barbara Graddy, mobility manager of Lee-Russell Council of Governments; and Yarbi Cound, social work coordinator of Opelika Police Department.
Rod Cater, community relations manager at Alabama Power’s Auburn office. (contributed)
Cater kicked off his presentation with some thoughtful home efficiency reminders. He recommended turning your thermostat as high as you can in the summer, as low as you can in the winter and keeping your lights turned off. He also emphasized how important it is to have the proper amount of insulation in your attic.
Cater said, “The Alabama Power Foundation and Alabama Power websites offer great resources specifically for nonprofits that a lot of people do not realize.”
Rod Cater’s presentation included:
Alabama Power Foundation Grants
Grants are available in five core focus areas: educational advancement, civic and community development, arts and cultural enrichment, health and human services, and environmental stewardship.
Energy Assistance Grants
The Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund was established by Alabama Power to help meet the energy needs of Alabamians. The ABC Trust has partnered with community action agencies, nonprofits and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to help pay energy bills, conduct weatherization projects and support basic human needs. The program offers Efficiency Forward Grants, Home Forward Grants, Emergency Assistance Programs, ABC Trust Community Grant Programs and the Dorothy Crosby Legacy Award.
Payment Assistance Programs
There are several Payment Assistance Programs and tools available to assist customers who are having trouble paying their power bill. Options are the Energy Assistant, financial assistance, energy assistance portal and community action agencies.
Special Needs Assistance Programs
Programs for customers with Special Needs, including alternate payment dates for those who rely on monthly government checks. Braille and large-print bills, as well as telecommunications services for the deaf, are also available.
(Getty Images)
Low Income Assistance Programs
Customers receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid for Low Income Families (MLIF) may qualify for discounts. These include $14.50 toward the customer charge and exemption from certain state utility license tax fees.
Project Share
In partnership with the Salvation Army, Project SHARE helps low-income Alabamians who are ages 60 and over or disabled pay winter energy bills. In summer, those with medical emergencies may also qualify if funds are available. Apply at your local Salvation Army office or by calling 205-328-2420.
Payment Arrangements
Alabama Power works with customers to arrange extended payments when they find themselves temporarily unable to pay their power bill. There are several ways customers can make arrangements. Login to alabamapower.com, visit an Alabama Power business office or call customer service at 1-800-245-2244.
Cater closed the event with a question-and-answer session.
“It was a privilege to be able to share energy efficiency information and financial resources to this group of people,” he said. “Hopefully, they can pass it along to people in the community who they are assisting that may need a little extra help in paying a bill and in making their homes more energy efficient. Alabama Power was founded on lifting up the communities we serve, and providing information like this is just one of many ways the company does that.”
Follow this link to learn more about the One Voice Shelter Coalition.
For the complete list of resources and services, visit alabamapower.com or powerofgood.com.
Related energy efficiency information:
]]>As families across Alabama prepare for a new school year, many are struggling to afford basic school supplies. At the same time, nonprofits and school systems are navigating tighter budgets and growing community needs.
This summer, members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) stepped up to support students, teachers and schools across the state. Mary Claire McDougal, APSO’s executive director, said serving families and communities remains central to the organization’s mission.
For nearly 25 years, APSO volunteers have helped students succeed through back-to-school supply drives, donations and community service projects. This summer, members from all nine APSO chapters carried on that tradition by purchasing, collecting and packing school supplies, food and snacks for students in need. Volunteers also supported educators by helping stretch classroom budgets while beautifying campuses and restoring school learning gardens.
Preparing future leaders is APSO Mobile Division, Energizers’ forte
Members of the APSO Mobile Division Chapter lent a hand during United Way of Baldwin County’s Day of Caring, helping clean and beautify Stapleton School. The chapter also donated school supplies to 12 local schools, helping students start the year prepared.
Through school supply drives and community outreach efforts, APSO Mobile Division Chapter volunteers supported students, families and educators across southwest Alabama.
Energizers Mobile Division’s Maria Thompson delivered supplies. (Mobile Division APSO)
They partnered with the Karing Kastle Foundation during a community uniform giveaway in Saraland, where volunteers distributed school supplies to local families. The chapter also donated supplies for the Tillmans Corner Community Center’s All-American Kids Day in partnership with the Southwest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce.
Mobile Chapter members continued their back-to-school efforts in August at J.U. Blacksher School in Uriah, providing clear backpacks filled with pencils, crayons, lunch boxes and other classroom essentials. Employees Melissa Britton, Makala Davison, Brittany Dinc, Brandon McKinley, Sonja North and Jacob Ramer helped prepare the backpacks for students.
“Serving our communities is at the heart of what we do, and opportunities like this allow us to make a meaningful difference beyond the workplace,” said Brittany Dinc, customer account specialist for Customer Operations at Alabama Power’s Mobile Division Office. “We are grateful for the chance to partner with J.U. Blacksher School and help students begin the school year with confidence and excitement.”
Maria Thompson of the Energizers Mobile Division Chapter delivered additional donations from fellow members, including colorful backpacks, pencils and other essential school supplies.
“We hope these donations help students start the school year feeling confident, prepared and ready to succeed,” said Linda Tipp, president of the Mobile Energizers Chapter. “Together, we’re making a difference in the lives of our future leaders.”
APSO Plant Barry beautifies schools, provides supplies
Members of the APSO Plant Barry Chapter gave students at McIntosh High School a fresh start for the new school year. Led by project chair Melanie Robins, volunteers spent the day painting hallways, cleaning the campus and refreshing flower beds to create a welcoming environment for students and staff returning to school.
Volunteers included Terry Caylor, Michael Duke, Kevin Lynch, Eric Parnell, Robins, Brandice Stacey, Kaleb Stacey, Walter Rosenbohm, Bill Ward, Ashley Weaver, Johnny Weaver and Angela Weston.
Plant Barry APSO Treasurer Cherie Gatlin said chapter members continued a multiyear effort to revitalize the learning garden for kindergarten through sixth grade students at Lee Elementary School in Satsuma.
Gatlin, a contractor support specialist who strives to “be a life changer and inspire others,” said volunteers replanted garden beds and completed maintenance projects to help preserve the outdoor classroom space. Lee Elementary Science Lab Instructor Samantha Tallent said the work was greatly appreciated by students and staff.
Volunteers also collected school supplies for students in Mobile and Washington counties. Donations included pencils, pens, paper, binders, clear backpacks, highlighters, crayons, markers, glue, notebooks, scissors, disinfectant wipes, tissues and copier paper.
APSO Magic City helps set Jones Valley Middle School students up for success
Magic City Chapter member Marcus Ramsey, project engineer in Power Delivery Planning, helped organize a school supply giveaway hosted by nonprofit ACTS4C at Jones Valley Middle School. The event served approximately 100 students, with APSO volunteers distributing backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil pouches and other classroom essentials.
Families also enjoyed games, activities and complimentary meals and treats from onsite food trucks, creating a festive atmosphere as students prepared for the new school year.
In July, the APSO Magic City Chapter also hosted a back-to-school supply drive at Alabama Power Corporate Headquarters in Birmingham to support Jefferson County eighth graders.
In August, Alabama Power Environmental Affairs Specialist Debbie Bond and her team collected easy-to-prepare meals and snacks for Shelby County School District students served by Vineyard Family Services. Bond, a member of APSO Magic City’s Shelby County sub-chapter, joined other volunteers in setting up collection bins and supporting the nonprofit’s Backpack Buddies project, which provides food for 1,400 students after Labor Day.
Bond and fellow volunteers delivered and packaged food at Vineyard Family Services in Alabaster. Executive Director Ward Williams, who founded the nonprofit in 2009, said APSO Magic City members have supported the organization for years through food drives and volunteer service.
“They have helped with food drives and volunteered so many times throughout the years,” Williams said. “We serve kids who are mostly in elementary to middle school, though we support a few high school students.”
Williams said APSO Magic City volunteers plan to return Sept. 27 to help pack meals for students.
Additionally, members of the Energizers Birmingham Chapter donated school supplies to Grantswood
Community Elementary School in August.
Adding beauty to life is APSO Plant Miller’s specialty
Ahead of the new school year, seven APSO Plant Miller volunteers helped refresh the grounds at West Jefferson Elementary School.
Plant Miller Chapter President Dion Oliver and fellow volunteers installed a bench and replaced garden bed borders as part of the cleanup effort. Volunteers returned the following week to reset and refurbish the school’s flagpole to help welcome students and staff back to campus.
Members also donated hygiene kits and personal items to the S.I.M.S. Foundation of Alabama in Jasper. The nonprofit, the brainchild of former educator Tyler Sims, was created to improve the lives of children and families across Alabama. Having seen “intense needs” across the school system, Sims called Oliver for help. “It’s hard to believe, but some kids don’t have soap or other supplies at home, and young women don’t have hygiene products or extra clothes when needed at school. We wanted to help schools in our area to be able to give those things to kids who come to them for help. I want to thank Miller APSO and Alabama Power for their caring for these students who don’t have financial resources.”
APSO Eastern Division provides supplies for kids in eight school systems
APSO Eastern Division members joined the new nonprofit Amazing Youth for its Back-to-School Bash to kick off the month of August, helping students across Talladega and Shelby counties prepare for the school year. The event supported children attending Childersburg, Sycamore, Sylacauga, Talladega City and County, Wilsonville, Winterboro and Vincent Elementary schools.
Customer Service Representative Tara Reynolds-Marbury coordinated the effort with support from employees at Alabama Power’s Oak Grove Office. Using a $500 APSO donation, Customer Service Representative Kandi Cunningham and Power Delivery Clerk Jessica Harris purchased school supplies, including three-ring binders, colored pencils, notebooks, graph paper and tab dividers.
The team assembled more than 800 backpacks filled with supplies for local students.
Wilsonville Elementary School students get a boost from APSO E.C. Gaston
APSO E.C. members helped students at Wilsonville Elementary School prepare for the new academic year through a school supply drive that filled several carts with essential classroom items. Plant Gaston employees donated backpacks, notebooks, crayons, paper, markers and pencils, along with classroom materials for teachers, including paper towels and disinfectant wipes. The effort ensured students and educators started the school year with needed supplies already in place.
APSO Southern Division supports Montgomery’s Children Advocacy Center
The Southeast Division Chapter of APSO partnered with the Children Advocacy Center in Montgomery for a back-to-school supply event in Selma. Members donated three-ring binders, paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, pens and books.
APSO Southeast packs hope for Backpack Buddies students
Southeast Division APSO partnered with Backpack Buddies at People Engaged in Recovery in Dothan, helping provide food and other support to schoolchildren in the mission to prevent food insecurity.
Uplifting communities is APSO Western Division’s C.H.O.I.C.E.
APSO Western Division members partnered with C.H.O.I.C.E. — Choosing to Help Others in Our Community Excel — for Uniontown’s 16th annual backpack drive in August, providing school supplies that filled 121 backpacks for students in need.
The effort began during Alabama Power’s Western Division Safety Renewal meeting July 8-9, when APSO Western Division combined its membership drive with a school supply project. Employees packed supplies into individual baggies, creating a simple but meaningful way to support local students, said Community Development Specialist Stevi Gandy.
Employees also included encouraging notes written by ninth graders during a workforce development event where APSO members shared the organization’s mission.
“We asked them to do a service project where they wrote notes of encouragement to other high school students,” said Community Development Specialist Leah Banks. “They loved it, and we ended up with hundreds of sweet notes.” The messages were distributed through Davis-Emerson Middle School in Tuscaloosa.
“If anyone was having a bad day, they could grab an uplifting note to read,” Banks said. “We decided to include these with the backpack project.”
About 60 APSO Western Division members participated in the effort, along with 68 nonmembers attending the Safety Renewal event.
“Engaging those employees was especially meaningful, as we are actively encouraging them to become involved with APSO,” Banks said.
]]>More than 80 kids from ages 6 to 18 woke up bright and early to gather for one of the biggest fishing rodeos of the summer on Lake Eufaula. Action Marine and Eufaula Parks & Recreation teamed up to host the annual Kids’ Fishing Rodeo at Old Creek Town Park.
The lake was stocked with 1,500 pounds of catfish weighing one to two pounds each provided by Auburn University.
Kids used their own rods and reels to compete for prizes, bicycles and t-shirts until 11 a.m.
This year marked the fifth annual fishing rodeo for Eufaula Parks & Recreation, and the third year Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) volunteers have supported the community tradition. The volunteers helped with registration, answered questions and assisted the anglers as needed.
“The fishing rodeo is a fun event for the youth and the entire community,” said Mallory Herring, Alabama Power community development specialist and vice president for the APSO Southeast Farley Chapter. “I do look forward to attending and assisting with it each year. It’s great to work with everyone who plays a role in this event.”
Prizes, including rods and reels, tackle boxes and t-shirts were awarded to winners. (Eufaula Parks and Recreation)
Rick Thorne, program coordinator for Eufaula Parks & Recreation, organized the event with his staff from the administration, recreation, maintenance and kayaking departments.
“I think this was one of our most exciting events of the year,” said Thorne. “It is amazing to watch the kids’ faces light up over all the fish and the competitions for the prizes.”
Prizes were awarded to first- and second-place winners across three age categories: 6–9 years old, 10–13 years old and 14–18 years old.
Winners in each age category received a rod, reel, tackle box and a t-shirt. These prizes were distributed evenly across the three events:
- Fishing rodeo: Awarded to the participants who caught the most fish.
- Casting competition: Awarded based on casting performance.
- Bicycle giveaway: Three bicycles were distributed, with one awarded to a winner in each age group.
“At the end of the rodeo, the nets are pulled in, and the kids catch all the fish they want by hand,” Thorne said. “It is amazing just to watch them. Seeing the kids and their families unite at this rodeo each year brings priceless joy.”
Prizes, including bicycles, were awarded to participants. (Eufaula Parks and Recreation)
Alabama Power Service Organization volunteers assisted the kids in casting their fishing lines at Eufaula Lake. (Eufaula Parks and Recreation)
]]>Reliability. Community engagement. Providing customers with tools to help control energy use and reduce costs. This summer, special outreach efforts in Greene, Sumter, and Marengo counties have brought that “energy that matters” message to customers aged 55 and over in Alabama Power‘s Western Division.
Diane Brooker, community relations manager in Alabama Power’s Western Division, speaks to the Demopolis Rotary Club in July. (contributed)
The division’s efforts have been spearheaded by Community Relations Manager Diane Brooker and Community Development Specialist Leah Banks. Targeting both senior citizens groups and the more general audience of “55-plus” customers, Banks said they have found audiences who were “enthusiastic, asked thoughtful questions, and were very appreciative of the opportunity to learn more about what Alabama Power is doing in their community.”
In June, Banks spoke to 18 members of the Eutaw Senior Citizens group. She demonstrated tools like My Power Usage, Rate Advisor, and Budget Billing, and shared simple, practical tips for managing uses, including changing air filters, sealing air leaks in windows and doors, and keeping a regular check on thermostat settings. As “a reminder that small steps toward efficiency can brighten your home,” she handed out energy efficient light bulbs as a “party favor.”
Banks reminded the group of Alabama Power’s pledge to keep customer rates steady through 2027, and of the things Alabama Power employees do every day to deliver reliable service that meets the needs of customers and communities throughout the state.
“We talked about what ‘energy that matters’ really means for Alabama Power,” recalled Banks. “How we work every day to be reliable, and what that means in rural areas where there are long stretches of power lines, heavy tree cover, and frequent storms that can make reliability challenging. They were interested to hear about the smart grid technology that’s helping us detect and prevent outages more quickly.”
More recently, on August 4, Brooker and Banks spoke to 52 attendees at the Cuba Golden Friends meeting at Cuba Baptist Church. Leading the discussion, Brooker covered a range of topics of interest to the group. She explained the primary causes of power outages, noting that with approximately 42 percent of Alabamians living in rural areas and nearly 70 percent of the state forested, trees rank number one.
“Alabama experiences some of the most severe storms in the Southeast,” observed Brooker. “That requires strong energy infrastructure and rapid restoration capabilities, which adds to the level of challenges storms present. Despite that, Alabama Power maintains a reliability rate of 99 percent.”
Brooker pointed the seniors to the Alabama Power app and online tools designed to help manage energy usage and better align bills with household budgets and fixed incomes. The audience was especially interested in the outage map available at alabamapower.com, which gives users the ability to track outages and obtain estimated restoration times; there were numerous comments about the map’s usefulness to customers in their age group.
Brooker also highlighted the recent “Safe-T-Zone” training Alabama Power hosted for first responders and city workers in Sumter County and surrounding areas. The training focused on working safely in the vicinity of downed power lines and resulting outages.
Attendees at the Eutaw Senior Citizens meeting in June received “party favors,” including energy efficient light bulbs. (contributed)
Completing the program, Banks updated the group on community involvement through the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), the employee volunteer program. That included APSO’s longstanding Adopt-A-School partnership with York West End Elementary School, where a recently completed service project helped fourth graders learn about pollination and environmental stewardship. Also highlighted were the efforts of a single APSO volunteer who dedicated more than 60 hours to re-sodding the softball field at University Charter School, in Livingston.
The meeting concluded with a Q&A session that covered topics ranging from billing options such as Budget Billing and FlatBill to potential opportunities for additional tree trimming in areas within the local community.
In addition to the events targeting senior citizens, Brooker spoke to the Demopolis Rotary Club in July. Her remarks focused most specifically on the money-saving ideas and opportunities accessible to customers through Alabama Power’s app and online tools. The response was much the same as among the seniors in terms of interest and enthusiasm, Brooker reported, with at least 10 people downloading the app while at the meeting.
Reflecting on the division’s outreach efforts, Banks said the curiosity and responsiveness of attendees indicate the importance of direct outreach into the communities served by Alabama Power. It helps the company do its job better, while meeting the needs of customers and communities.
“Each meeting turned into a great conversation,” said Banks. “We talked — and heard — about reliability, customer tools, and community partnership. These are wonderful examples of how Alabama Power’s work is about more than electricity.
“It’s about people. And it’s about helping communities.”
]]>Alabama Power employees turned out strong to give the gift of life during a time of need.
As part of its annual Safety Renewal program, Alabama Power’s Power Delivery Construction and Contract Services team hosted a blood drive on July 28. The drive attracted 189 donors, up from 104 in 2025, the first time the department promoted the need for employees to contribute to the local blood supply.
Meredith Morgan, manager of stakeholder engagement for Alabama Power, at the PD Construction and Contract Services blood drive, held July 28. (contributed)
“We’re always excited to be able to help meet a community need,” said Meredith Morgan, manager of stakeholder engagement for Alabama Power. “Hosting the blood drive at a time of year when our company is especially focused on safety in our workplaces is a good opportunity for Alabama Power and the communities we serve to enhance the ability to respond to threats to life and safety by donating blood.”
Like last year, the 2026 PD blood drive partnered with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, which was onsite to facilitate the donations. In a letter to PD Construction and Contract Services employees, LifeSouth District Director John R. Sheehan said the Alabama Power drive was the largest single-day drive in his organization’s Central Alabama District. With a single blood donation having the potential to save up to three lives, Sheehan noted, the donations by PD employees could impact the lives of nearly 600 people.
“This remarkable achievement is a testament to Alabama Power’s commitment to giving back and helping neighbors in need,” said Sheehan. “Your willingness to host the blood drive and encourage your employees to participate will make a lasting difference for local hospitals and the patients who depend on lifesaving blood transfusions every day.”
The donations came at a time when LifeSouth had declared a critical need for blood donations in the state with supplies running “dangerously low.”
Looking ahead to 2027, Sheehan also stressed LifeSouth’s eagerness to continue its relationship with Alabama Power and the Power Delivery department. To that end, the department is already making plans.
“Our participation almost doubled this year,” noted Morgan. “We made some improvements this year that contributed to that, and we’ll make additional adjustments that will continue to increase participation, bring recognition to our company, and help address what is always a need in our community.
“We’re looking forward to next year.”
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