ATLANTA, Nov. 29, 2010-- Georgia Power and its customers are celebrating a more than $50 million contribution milestone to Project SHARE, commemorating a 25-year partnership with The Salvation Army to help Georgians in need.  A special event marking the occasion was held at Georgia Power's corporate headquarters in Atlanta, today, to celebrate donating $52 million to Project SHARE.

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 started, Georgia Power is one of only a few companies in the country that matches customer contributions dollar for dollar.  With the corporate match, each contribution can make twice the impact in the lives of those who need it most.    

"Project SHARE is a signature program of The Salvation Army," said Major Jim Arrowood, The Salvation Army's Georgia Divisional Commander.  "It is through the generosity and concern of corporate partners like Georgia Power that Project SHARE is able to address the growing needs of Georgia families in crisis."  

Georgia Power encourages its customers to lend a hand to their fellow Georgians by contributing as little as $1 per month to the program on their power bills.  The money customers contribute to Project SHARE stays in the counties where it's donated to address local needs.  

"Project SHARE thanks Georgia Power and its customers for helping us help so many people in time of need," Arrowood said.  "Georgia Power's support is especially meaningful in the current economic environment which has presented new challenges for local families and for our resources."

As we enter the winter season, Project SHARE will be particularly helpful to those in need as they struggle to cope with higher heating costs.  

"We at Georgia Power appreciate our customers' generosity and ongoing support," said Georgia Power President and CEO Mike Garrett.  "It's a privilege for our company to partner with The Salvation Army and we look forward to continuing our association through this program for many years to come."

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name without discrimination for 129 years in the United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadest array of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 cents of every dollar The Salvation Army spends is used to support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.

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 with rates well below the national average.  Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.