Georgia Power and its customers recently reached a $40 million contribution milestone to Project SHARE, commemorating a 20-year partnership with the Salvation Army to help Georgians in need. A special event marking the occasion was held recently at Georgia Power’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta.

Project SHARE, which was begun in 1985 by the Salvation Army, provides emergency assistance to Georgians who need help with things such as housing, food, medical care and utility services. A corporate partner with the Salvation Army since the program began, Georgia Power is one of only a handful of companies in the country that matches customer contributions dollar for dollar in a program of this kind.

This month, Georgia Power rolled out a Project SHARE advertising campaign in newspapers, radio and television stations throughout Georgia entitled “Share Your Story.” The purpose for the campaign is to raise awareness of Project SHARE and to encourage Georgia Power customers to lend a hand to their fellow Georgians by contributing to the program as little as one dollar a month on their power bills. Money customers contribute to Project SHARE stays in the counties where it’s donated to address local needs. As we enter the winter season, the program will be particularly helpful to those in need as they struggle to cope with higher heating costs due to spikes in winter heating fuels.

“Everyone at Georgia Power appreciates our customers’ generosity and on-going support,” said Georgia Power President and CEO Mike Garrett. It’s a privilege for our company to partner with the Salvation Army. We look forward to continuing our association through this program for many years to come.”

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility, serving customers in 57,000 of the state’s 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power’s rates are below the national average and its 2 million customers are in all but six of Georgia’s 159 counties.