ATLANTA, April 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 19^th consecutive year, Georgia Power employees are running across the state to fight cancer during the annual Run for the Reason relay. This year, 18 employees will reverse the established nonstop, cross-state route and begin at Georgia Power headquarters (241 Ralph McGill Blvd.) and end on the coast at St. Simons Island. During the more than two-day, 350-mile relay run, employees expect to raise more than $75,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Since the inception of the event, Georgia Power runners have logged more than 7,000 miles and raised more than $1.6 million to aid cancer research. In addition to Run for the Reason, Georgia Power's longstanding support of ACS includes employee participation in multiple Relay for Life 24-hour fundraising walks in communities across the state each year.

Georgia Power will host a special public sendoff event on Wednesday, April 20 at 9 a.m., near the intersection of Ralph McGill and Piedmont Ave. in Atlanta. The event will conclude with a two mile run/walk at 10 a.m. open to all employees, neighbors, friends and family.  On Wednesday, and throughout the relay, Georgia Power is inviting communities along the route to run alongside, or cheer-on, the team.

Key milestones* along the run include:

Bruce Feiman and Jimmy Zerkus, project managers at Georgia Power and co-organizers of Run for the Reason, note that, each year, Georgia Power participants run in memory of loved ones lost to cancer, in support of those currently fighting the battle and in celebration of survivors of cancer. However, the 2016 event will carry a special meaning.

"This year we are running not only for all of those impacted by cancer, but for members of our Georgia Power relay team," said Feiman. "Over the last year, two of our original runners have been battling cancer – we are dedicating this year's run to them and all cancer survivors."

Georgia Power invites social fans to follow photos and videos of the cross-state relay on Twitter (@GeorgiaPower) using #GAPowerfulRun and on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower). To donate to ACS in support of the Run for the Reason, visit the team's fundraising page.

*Dates and times are estimates. Contact Georgia Power Media Relations to request updates as the relay progresses through the state.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's largest generators of electricity.  Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind.   Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower). 

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SOURCE Georgia Power