Southern Nuclear provides significant charitable contributions in its local communities

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first quarter of 2017, Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., donated nearly $34,000 to schools and programs in the communities where it operates.

"One of our top priorities is to be one of the greatest assets to our communities," said Steve Kuczynski, president and CEO of Southern Nuclear. "We want residents to feel that our presence enhances their quality of life and makes our communities stronger. We also support educational programs for local youth, who we hope will be part of our future workforce."

Southern Nuclear's charitable giving program has four focus areas: health and human services; education; civic, cultural and community; and environmental. Applications are sponsored by company employees and submitted on a monthly basis.

"Open Hands Overflowing Hearts (OHOH) was formed by a family friend who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a form of pediatric cancer – with a mission to raise money for the research of childhood cancers," said John Giddens, Southern Nuclear regulatory affairs project manager. "My daughter, Jennifer, became involved and embarked on a solo campaign to raise awareness and money for OHOH by hiking the entire Appalachian Trail – 2,189 miles. The contribution from Southern Nuclear significantly helped Jennifer's campaign goal of $15,780 – the number of children diagnosed with pediatric cancer each year."

Southern Nuclear's 2017 first-quarter charitable contributions:

Desert Island Supply Company in Birmingham, Ala., helps students develop the creative tools they need to explore and document their worlds. Our charitable contribution will support the Epic Read-a-Thon.

Norma Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation in Birmingham, Ala., raises funds for ovarian cancer research through various events and opportunities and increases awareness about the risks, symptoms and treatments of this disease. Our charitable contribution will support the 15th Annual Motherwalk 2017 5K and Fun Run.

National Veterans Day Foundation is in Birmingham, Ala., home of the nation's first Veterans Day parade. It organizes the city's annual parade and hosts recognition events for veterans. Our charitable contribution will support the various events held annually.

YMCA Youth Center in Birmingham, Ala., is a branch of the Greater Birmingham YMCA dedicated to serving the health and educational needs of youth year-round. Our charitable contribution will support the annual campaign.

Glenwood Inc. in Birmingham, Ala., leads the state in providing behavioral health care and educational services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and severe emotional disturbances. Our charitable contribution will support Glenwood's 25th Annual Ireland Legacy Tournament.

Dothan Educational Foundation in Dothan, Ala., provides Dothan City Schools with funding to help pay for special projects that could not otherwise be funded with annual school budget dollars. Our charitable contribution will sponsor the Spirit of Education luncheon.

Dothan Houston County Substance Abuse Partnership in Dothan, Ala., creates a sense of awareness and ownership of the drug and alcohol problem in the community and involves as many citizens, both young and old, as possible to develop and implement solutions. Our charitable contribution will support the Dancing with the Stars Dothan fundraising event.

Hits for Heroes is a baseball event in Dothan, Ala., to raise awareness and money for soldiers who are still deployed and need our support, encouragement and supplies. Our charitable contribution will support the baseball event.

American Cancer Society's Relay for Life events in Toombs and Appling counties, are part of the ACS's signature fundraiser in its mission to make a global impact on cancer. Our charitable contribution will help host the events.

Open Hands Overflowing Hearts in Birmingham, Ala., shines a light on children who suffer from cancer and raises money for research to end childhood cancer. Our charitable contribution will support the Trekkin for Change pediatric cancer research fundraiser.

National Society of Black Engineers is one of the largest student-run organizations in the United States, with core activities centered on improving the recruitment and retention of black and other minority engineers, in both academe and industry. Our charitable contribution will support the 36th annual scholarship and awards banquet.

Auburn University Foundation in Auburn, Ala., receives all charitable contributions made in support of Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery. Our charitable contribution is for the annual engineering scholarship.

St. Francis Xavier Catholic School is in Birmingham, Ala. Our charitable contribution will support the annual school fundraising gala.

McWane Science Center is a children's science museum in Birmingham, Ala. It combines its unique assets to create unique, hands-on, science-learning experiences that parents and teachers value and kids love. Our charitable contribution will support the annual engineering showcase.

Screven County Board of Education is in Sylvania, Ga. Our charitable contribution will allow the board to purchase Chromebook computer tablets for students.

About Southern Nuclear: 
Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is a leader among the nation's nuclear energy facility operators and an innovator in advanced nuclear technologies. Southern Nuclear is an essential part of Southern Company's energy portfolio, and its importance will continue to grow as America transitions to a low-carbon energy future. While the company produces clean, safe and reliable nuclear energy, it's also an economic engine powered by quality jobs and community service. Southern Nuclear operates a total of six units for Alabama Power and Georgia Power at the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala.; the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, Ga.; and the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Ga. Southern Nuclear is the licensee of two new nuclear units currently under construction at Plant Vogtle that are among the first nuclear units being constructed in the United States in more than 30 years. Southern Nuclear received numerous accolades in 2016 for leadership in the advancement of nuclear energy including the Special Achievement Award by the United States Nuclear Infrastructure Council and the Presidential Citation by the American Nuclear Society. Southern Nuclear also received two of the Nuclear Energy Institute's Top Innovative Practice awards and special recognition for achieving excellence in research and performance. Southern Nuclear's Plant Hatch received the ANS Operations & Power Division's Utility Achievement Award for plant improvements that resulted in a record-setting refueling outage duration. The company's headquarters is in Birmingham, Ala.

Twitter: @SouthernNuclear; Facebook: facebook.com/southernnuclear; www.southernnuclear.com

About Southern Company: 
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 44,000 MW of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

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SOURCE Southern Company