Alabama Power volunteers serve communities in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
On Monday, Jan. 19, and beyond, Alabama Power volunteers throughout the state have been working in their communities to honor the life and leadership of Martin Luther King Jr.
Numerous service projects are underway through the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), which are part of the group’s “boots on the ground” efforts to strengthen families and bolster nonprofits in the Yellowhammer State. The work is integral to maintaining a strong community support system that is a legacy of APSO and Alabama Power, noted Kim Savage, executive director of the APSO and Energizers service organizations.
In the company’s Eastern Division, APSO members served at celebratory MLK Day events in Anniston and Pell City. Eastern Division APSO President Stephanie Mitchell and her team served attendees at the MLK Day Breakfast and Youth Participation Day 9-10 a.m. at the Anniston City Meeting Center. Eastern APSO volunteers Jerri Bain, Felecia “Shae” Gilbert, Dana McFarland, Johnisha Norman, Chris Barber and his wife, Kelsey, along with Tiffany Young, Mitchell and her son, Mal’aki, served eggs, grits, biscuits, bacon and juice, with APSO’s young participants delivering the meal to attendees.
“We wanted to keep this event going,” said Anniston Customer Accounting Analyst Mitchell, an APSO member for 10 years. “Our Pell City sub-area team volunteered during the 17th annual St. Clair County MLK Breakfast at the Pell City Civic Center.” Arnita Woodall, customer service representative at Alabama Power’s Pell City Office, served as project chair for the event, which got underway at 8 a.m. Additional Alabama Power volunteers included Salena Cook, Tchkandice “Kandi” Cunningham and Crystal Tanner.
Braving the cold on Jan. 19, about 15 members of the Magic City APSO Chapter worked more than four hours outdoors to beautify the area at the corner of 4th Avenue and 16th Street North in downtown Birmingham. The project benefited the Fourth Avenue Business District, in partnership with Urban Impact Inc.
Project chair Caitlyn Brothers, who is the External Affairs manager at Southern Energy Credit Union in Birmingham, said the Magic City APSO Chapter has supported the effort for four years. Located near the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the site annually draws visitors from throughout the Southeast and the world.
“We hope this work will help attract new business to the area and help their ventures shine,” Brothers said.
On Jan. 19, Southern Division APSO members distributed clothing to the Selma Center for Nonviolence Truth and Reconciliation as part of the “Pass Along the Love Clothes Drive.” Alabama Power employees donated clean, gently used clothes in efforts to promote nonviolence, justice and healing.
Several Southern APSO volunteers helped at the 2026 MLK Scholarship Breakfast, which promotes the unity of all people and is committed to providing scholarships, mentoring and community outreach programs for youth. The breakfast also is a fundraiser for scholarships that go to deserving high school students. As part of the program, Plant Franklin donated $3,500 to Alpha Onward and Upward Foundation.
APSO volunteers also lent a hand and their smiles during the city of Montgomery’s annual parade to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Many Southern APSO members helped greet entrants, gave directions and assisted with floats and other tasks.
Trey Kennedy, who served as project chair for several of the chapter’s MLK Day service efforts, said no effort is too small: “Our goal is to help be a face in the community and help where we can.”
About 50 members of the Western Division Chapter of APSO joined together Wednesday, Jan. 15, in a project for Jasper Area Family Services Center. The community facility helps families access services that empower them to develop skills and resources they need to prepare their children for success in a competitive society.
APSO members filled approximately 48 backpacks with warmth kits, which included a blanket, hat and gloves, and hand warmers, for the underserved. The backpacks also held a hygiene kit with toothbrush and toothpaste, dental floss, soap, ChapStick, hot cocoa packets and other items. The project is the brainchild of Community Relations Manager Mitzi Jones, 2025 Western Division APSO president.
Every APSO member wrote a note of encouragement and tucked it inside the backpack for the recipient to find.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, members will help the Eutaw Area Chamber of Commerce by recharging and beautifying flower beds at the Greene County Hospital Nursing Home. Since the weather has been extremely cold, the team added new, low-maintenance mulch in upkeep of the area.
“The hospital is in the heart of Eutaw so it’s very visible,” noted Leah Banks, community development specialist – Eutaw Office.
Plant Gaston APSO volunteers worked at the Wilsonville Food Bank in Helms Park Jan. 20, sorting food for clients. Justin Bailey, a former Gaston APSO president and a longtime board member, said the project is “near and dear” to Gaston members’ hearts, because the effort assists friends, neighbors and those in the community who need financial help.
Bailey, a former Gaston APSO Chapter president and a longtime board member, said the project is rewarding to him and other volunteers. He noted that Chuck Robbins, who has served as the project chair throughout the past year, enthused the Gaston team to get involved.
“The food bank supplies food to more than 150 families each month,” said Bailey, Plant Services team leader. “Our team helps unload the 18‑wheelers, sort the food, and load the families’ vehicles as they arrive. Gaston APSO members have truly enjoyed being immersed in the Wilsonville community, and the regular volunteers have welcomed us with open arms, allowing us to support this important work each month.”
Because of the extreme cold, Mobile APSO and Barry APSO chapters postponed their MLK Day service project to Friday, Jan. 30. The chapters will team up to beautify Halloway Elementary School, an inner-city school near the Crichton area. Project chair Chris Mayfield said APSO volunteers will add mulch at the front entrance, till, do weed eating, add new flowerpots, and remove garbage and debris from the campus.
“This project will serve to reenergize our chapter members as we head into 2026, with our commitment to revitalize our communities,” said Mayfield, Economic and Community Development representative at Alabama Power’s Mobile Division Office.