Getting started for 2013

Alabama Power and Run for the Reason are back for 2013.  We wrapped up the week which included our official kick off meeting.  Hopefully, everyone's individual pages are up and ready for donations.  According to Trey, our chairman for 2013, our teams should be put together shortly and maybe we can get some friendly team competition going.

Our 17 runners are all training getting ready for our 350 mile voyage across the great state of Alabama on April 19th.  I believe next week might include some training stories.

Don't forget to donate to our team, we have a goal to raise $40,000.  It's really all about raising money for the American Cancer Society.  Donation Page

Reason to Believe

Run across Alabama raises funds to fight cancer for 10th year

Runners and Drivers at the Finish Line. Dauphin Island, AL

"All of us in one way or another have been impacted by cancer,” said Market Specialist Bryan Coley. Coley was among more than 30 employees taking part in the annual Run for the Reason April 26-28, beginning on the eastern border of Alabama and ending 350 miles south at Dauphin Island.

Plant Miller Electrical & Instrumentation Journeyman Rosa Boston lost her brother-in-law to cancer in 2009. “I donate to the American Cancer Society and volunteer my time in his memory,” she said. “During the event, it touched me deeply when I would look over and see someone watching us saying ‘Thank you so much.’ It just made me want to do even more to help.”

It is that type of determination and dedication that made the 2012 Run for the Reason another success with more than $30,000 added to the more than $200,000 the event has raised in the past 10 years. “Run for the Reason is a perfect opportunity to showcase what it means to be an employee of Alabama Power Company,” said Distribution Engineer Trey Hayes. “If someone wants to get a grasp of the vastness of our service territory, I challenge them to run across it. Likewise, if someone wants to see our influence on life in the state of Alabama, I challenge them to run across it and count the number of homes, businesses and communities that we impact every second of every day. Using that influence to help win the war that the American Cancer Society fights every second of every day is a wonderful thing.”

“I like to focus on the good that the donations do for cancer patients and survivors,” said Run for the Reason organizer Kevin Manogue, whose grandparents are cancer survivors. “Research to find prevention and cures is extremely important but that work often seems distant to donors. Knowing that the money raised by this event goes to help cancer patients in our own state who are coping with the reality of fighting cancer daily is rewarding.”

Manogue, an engineer at Gorgas Steam Plant, has participated in run for eight years. This year, three teams ran in 4-mile segments during 12-hour shifts. In addition to runners, each team included four drivers. “While we become tired and weary from a few days of running, we realize this is nothing in comparison to battling cancer,” said Coley. “We are glad to do what we can as we remember friends and family who have been impacted by this disease.”

Participants in this year’s event included:
Runners:	Drivers:	Volunteers:
Matthew Abbott Shane Bailey Holley Caldwell Jonathon Carroll Kevin Chappell Bryan Coley Nicole Faulk Butch Guimond Trey Hayes Ashley Kent Steve Mothershed Michelle Mozena Terry Mozena Waymon Tullis Robby Wentz Kevin E. Williams Melissa Williamson	Drew Ayers Rosa Boston Ben Creel Ramsey Glenn Denise Harris Cherie Hill Kerry Jones Delacio Spencer Bob Spotswood Sandy Walker	Palmer Gatlin Lee Hagler IV Chesley Hughes Kevin Manogue Christina Nix Stacy Simmons Tim Townes

By Theresa Helms

Team A: Breakfast Burrito Angels

Thank you Stacy and Amanda from Plant Barry's APSO chapter for the awesome breakfast!!! We ate all of their breakfast burritos and had a lot of laughs! Great hospitality!!! Sorry you had to get up so early on a Saturday, but we are very thankful!

Team A: Amanda and Stacy

Our Breakfast Burrito Angels from Plant Barry's APSO chapter!!!! We couldn't have done it without you!  BTW... We have you signed up as drivers for next years Run!

Team B: Special Thanks!

A special thanks goes out to our drivers: Ben, Cherie, Rosa, and Denise. We may have run 20+ miles each in the last few days, but they had the hard job. From the time each run starts to it's finish, they are keenly concentrated on our safety and well being. Without their support, we could not have done this. Sitting, driving, and concentrating intently on our running for four to five hours is a difficult job. We want to recognize their hard work and give them credit for what they do.

Thank you Ben, Cherie, Rosa, and Denise. You rock,

Team B

Team A: The Awesome Team!!!

$35K raised so far. If you are following us and want to help us reach our $45K goal.

Team A: Finish Line

Team C Arrives with an escort from the Dauphin Island Fire and Rescue!!! Whoo-Hoo!!!! Go team. Congratulation to all of our team mates! We did it! 360 miles, baby!

Team A: Where's Team C?

Party at the finish line. Waiting on Team C at the Dauphin Island Fort Gaines. Great burgers provided by the Mobile APSO chapter!!! Yum!!! Thank you so much!!! The terrific hospitality on Dauphin island equals the fabulous weather!!!

Team B: Finish Line

Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors. To the APSO chapters that volunteered their time and efforts to help us get to the end, we say a special thanks. Thank you to the Mobile volunteers for setting up the finish line cookout.

After a long two and a half days of running, we are glad to be done and going home. The runners are tired and the drivers are too. All in all, it is all worth it to help the American Cancer Society.

--
BC

Team B: "Bo Knows"

This is the guest blogger T-Rock posting for the "B"est Team. We are having a good run thru Mobile this morning. I must admit I expended a little extra energy water fighting with the A team. Thanks guys I felt that around mile 2 of my run.

Just wanted to take a second to say thanks to all of our sponsors. I also wanted to take time to give a special shout out to Kevin "K-Fed" Manogue and a special thanks to all others that helped organize this event.

Last but not least I want all of you to know that you have been in the presence of a celebrity this weekend. Waymon "Bo Jackson" Tullis has graced you with his presence. I think a few people have confused this event with the "Bo Bikes Alabama" fund raiser taking place this weekend. Given mine and Bo's similar athletic skills..... I see how some one could confuse me for him. So if any one wants an autograph at the picnic find me and I will be glad to oblige. You can also get your picture made with Bo.