Editor’s Note: Gulf Power’s “Power of Service” award ceremony and reception is Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Clemenza’s at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach. The news media is welcome to attend.

Gulf Power Company will recognize three community service organizations this Thursday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. The company started the “Power of Service” awards in January 2012 as a way to honor organizations that work to improve the lives of young people in the community.

The three organizations being recognized at the ceremony will be Youth Village, The Eleanor Johnson Youth Center and The STEMM Academy Outreach. Each organization will be given a $2,500 grant from Gulf Power, an inscribed award, and – from the White House – The President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The awards ceremony and a reception will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Clemenza’s at Uptown Station in Fort Walton Beach.  

“Dr. King preached the value of community service and Gulf Power launched this award program as a way to annually honor him and to encourage others to give back to the community,” said Jeff Rogers, Corporate Communications Manager. “Because of the encouragement and guidance of these programs, hundreds of local youths’ lives are positively changed.”

Gulf Power’s inaugural “Power of Service” award ceremony was held earlier this year and recognized organizations in Escambia and Santa Rosa County. This is the first “Power of Service” award ceremony recognizing organizations in Okaloosa and Walton County.

Gulf Power will hold another “Power of Service” awards ceremony and reception in January recognizing organizations in Escambia and Santa Rosa County.

Power of Service Recipients:

Youth Village: Youth Village, a non-profit child-care learning center,creates a safe, nurturing environment in which to provide educational and recreational services to children ages 5-16. Through individual and organized aid, supportive mentors and teachers uplift the youth of the community in an educational, spiritual and moral manner, creating a desire to achieve and develop a love of learning. For more information, visit http://www.nelliesyouthvillage.org.

The Eleanor Johnson Youth Center: The Eleanor Johnson Youth Center provides an after school program in a safe environment for the youth of Fort Walton Beach Public Housing and surrounding areas. Ninety-five percent of the more than 200 children, aged 6-15 come from working, single-parent homes. The Youth Center provides the consistent encouragement, guidance, support and enriching educational experience sometimes missing in young people’s lives.

The STEMM Academy Outreach: In order to increase students’ of color participation in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) programs or activities in the Fort Walton Beach area, targeted preparation of students in grades K-12 is being implemented through the newly established Okaloosa STEMM Academy by the Director Ricardo Soria. Director Soria is establishing a K-college pipeline for students of color (African-and Latino/Hispanic-American) in the STEMM disciplines.

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 430,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at GulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.”