Alabama Power Appliance Sales brings comfort to families, children

Several Birmingham-area families who are working hard to get back on their feet are having a more relaxing night’s rest.

These families at the YWCA Interfaith Hospitality House in the Woodlawn community received new pillows, bedding and towels, thanks to a donation from Alabama Power Appliance Sales. The YWCA Interfaith Hospitality House provides shelter and support services for up to seven families and assists in moving them from homelessness into permanent housing.

The YWCA also distributed the bedding and towels from Alabama Power Appliance Sales among the women and children living in its Jefferson County Domestic Violence Shelter.

“We are so grateful for Alabama Power and the generous donations they provide to the women, children and families we serve,” said Maria Underwood, vice president of Development and Social Impact at the YWCA. “This project is an investment because it helps us provide the pillows and sheets that our families need to sleep on every night. But it’s also an investment in the future of these families because it gives them something they can take with them into their future lives. The pillow project is just one example of how impactful and thoughtful corporate citizenship can be.”

Along with the YWCA, Alabama Power Appliance Sales donated its extra inventory of pillows, bedding and towels to the Big Oak Boys Ranch in Gadsden, the Big Oak Girls Ranch in Springville and the Salvation Army in Birmingham. In all, Appliance Sales recently distributed 70 pillows, nearly 100 sets of sheets, 50 towel sets (including two each of bath and hand towels) and 15 mattress toppers.

“I can’t stand to see things go to waste,” said Ilyse Brobst, a buyer for Alabama Power’s Appliance Sales. “I knew we had this extra product, so why not use it for good and why not donate it to people who can’t buy things for themselves?”

Jessica Phillips said the Big Oak Ranch is definitely putting the items to good use.

“Thank you, Alabama Power, for the wonderful donation of bath towels and bedding,” said Phillips, communications director for Big Oak Ranch. “They will be put to great use in our homes and for our college students. Since 1974, Big Oak Ranch has been called to meet the needs of more than 2,000 abused, neglected and abandoned children by giving them a solid, Christian home and a chance to fulfill God’s plan for their lives. Thank you for your support in this mission.”

Brobst headed the company’s effort to gather and distribute the items to these nonprofits.

“I always feel like there’s something more I can do to give back to the community,” she said. “This was a way I could do that. It made me feel good to know that I was helping people.”