In October, employees constructed a playhouse for Heartisans Marketplace. It is being used to encourage shoppers to donate to the organization's home build project during the holiday season. It will eventually be part of the housing project's playground.
Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO)employees donated time and talents to aiding their communities this year through Making A Difference projects.
Since 2005, American Electric Power (AEP) has provided grants of up to $300 for community projects that involve at least five AEP active or retired employees in partnership with a school or nonprofit organization. In 2022, SWEPCO employees coordinated eight service projects across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
Two additional projects are planned for 2023 for Green Oaks High School and the Summerfield Elementary School Math Club in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Here's how employees lent a hand.
LONGVIEW AREA
Heartisans Marketplace
In October, Longview District employees constructed a playhouse for Heartisans Marketplace. The Longview nonprofit provides job skills to unemployed and underemployed women, helping them re-enter the workforce, as well as life skills and mentoring so that they can provide for their families' needs and be contributing members of our community.
The playhouse is being used to encourage shoppers during the Christmas season to donate to Heartisans' home build project, which the American Electric Power Foundation funded at $50,000.
Eventually, the playhouse will make its way to the playground at their planned cottage community, which will serve as safe transitional housing for program participants and graduates.
Chad Mitchell, pastor at First United Methodist Church of Hughes Springs, receives a $300 Making a Difference grant from Clay Higgins, a coal equipment operator at Welsh Power Plant, for the Shepherd's Harvest Food Pantry. The money and donations collected will go to senior citizens supported by the food pantry.
Shepherd’s Harvest Food Pantry
Throughout the month of November, Welsh Power Plant employees collected food for senior citizens supported by Shepherd's Harvest Food Pantry. The plant hosted a competition between the different crews to see who could donate the most food. For the second year, the coal yard won. The Welsh coal yard team consisted of: Neal Hallonquist, Randy Bryson, TJ Burson, Greg Cooner, William Dannelley, Jeff Frost, Clay Higgins, Jeff Hudson, Thomas Johnson Jr., Samuel Moren, James Overstreet Jr., Michael Phillips and Randy Phillips.
Newgate Mission
On Nov. 11, East Texas employees helped to serve a meal at the Newgate Mission.
The day mission feeds about 200 people daily and serves about 82,000 meals per year. In addition, it provides housing referrals, job readiness and other life-changing services.
Beds of Hope
On Nov. 19, several employees joined groups from Hallsville High School and Moberly Baptist Church to construct 60 beds for Beds of Hope.
The Hallsville nonprofit builds beds for children who are placed in foster care.
SHREVEPORT AREA
Woody's Home for Veterans
On Nov. 11, several employees constructed a fire pit for Woody's Home for Veterans, which provides a stable home environment for homeless veterans in need of ongoing psychiatric care.
The project coincided with the Military Veterans Employee Resource Group's annual Veterans Day food and toiletry drive for the organization.
SWEPCO employees replant flower beds in the Leaps and Bounds playground at A.C. Steere Park in Shreveport, La.
Right to Play
In October, employees spent a Saturday replanting flower beds, trimming trees and picking up trash at the Leaps and Bounds Playground at A.C. Steere Park in Shreveport.
The playground is the only one within 100 miles for children with disabilities. SWEPCO has played an integral role in the park since 2005, when employees helped construct the playground with Right to Play, a nonprofit that raised funds and awareness for it.
Huntington and Captain Shreve high schools
In November, Telecommunications employees joined co-workers in Distribution and Transmission dispatch centers to provide high school students a glimpse into what occurs daily to keep the lights on.
Students from Huntington High School and Captain Shreve High School visited the Arsenal Hill radio tower site, dispatch facilities and the telecommunications hub. The tour provided insight into how network routers, switches and other equipment are interconnected to provide information to an end user and the duties of a dispatcher, among other things.
In November, students from Captain Shreve High School and Huntington High School visited the Arsenal Hill radio tower site, dispatch facilities and telecommunications hub.
TEXARKANA AREA
Senior Citizens Services
In October, employees in the Texarkana District spent a day trimming bushes and trees, raking leaves and more at Senior Citizens Services of Texarkana.
External Affairs Manager Jennifer Harland said the annual project is one of the Texarkana team’s favorites.
"Our former SWEPCO co-worker Sophia Teel served on the Senior Citizens Center Board for many years before she passed away" Harland said. "This is an opportunity for us to serve others and honor Sophia as well."