Every summer ahead of the new school year, volunteers with the Mobile Division of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) work to support students heading back to class, and this year was no different.
“Alabama Power truly believes in education,” said Chris Mayfield, Alabama Power economic development representative and Mobile Division president for APSO. “Education is the foundation for our next generation. The more resources that are available to our students, the better off they and our community will be long-term.”
The Mobile APSO chapter collected school supplies for Brittany Dinc, a customer account specialist and APSO board member for the Monroe Chapter, to distribute at the J.U. Blacksher School back-to-school drive open house in the rural community of Uriah. Dinc and fellow APSO volunteers set up a booth at the Aug. 3 open house and packed school supplies — including folders, crayons, pre-sharpened pencils, glue sticks, clear pouches, lunch boxes and pencil pouches — into clear backpacks that were given out free on a first-come, first-served basis.
“This is my first back-to-school drive at Blacksher School, and seeing the impact of this firsthand is moving,” Dinc said. “There are some grandparents here raising their grandchildren, and hearing them express how much financial relief we have provided is such a good feeling. I have a strong desire to make a difference in the lives of the people in my community and beyond.”
The project held personal significance for Dinc, a Blacksher School graduate whose two daughters also attend the school; she recalled being named Miss Blacksher during her own senior year. APSO also partnered with community relations managers and local 501(c)(3) nonprofits across the region, providing gift boxes and school supplies for volunteers to distribute on the organization’s behalf.
Mobile APSO serves six southwest Alabama counties — Baldwin, Clarke, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington. The Alabama Power Service Organization brings together employees and their families across nine active chapters statewide who volunteer their time in local communities. In 2025, APSO volunteers contributed an average of nearly four hours per person.