CENTREVILLE - A one-two punch hammered the Brent-Centreville Public Library. But the Alabama Power Foundation has softened the blow with a $1,000 grant. A string of maintenance disasters in the wake of Hurricane Dennis this past summer made the situation worse, said Elia Daws, a 30-year veteran of the library board.

"We’re delighted," said Daws, who serves as board secretary. "This grant from Alabama Power helped trigger some larger donations."

The $1,000 was used to repair a sump pump used to siphon water out of the downstairs community meeting room, which also serves as a tornado shelter. The building is 22 years old. In a September letter requesting the funds, Daws wrote that the library, which serves 2,000 to 2,500 patrons every month, has "been struggling to stay afloat" due to hurricane damage and funding cutbacks.

"The library has performed an essential function in our community," said Alabama Power Centreville Business Office Manager John Downs. "Alabama Power is happy to help them stay afloat because they serve so many of our local citizens."

Daws, former librarian at Centreville Elementary, said Alabama Power came to the rescue more than 10 years ago with a $10,000 grant to install the facility’s first circulation computers. A year ago, an Alabama Power Foundation donation added additional shelving for large-print books purchased with an earlier foundation gift.

"Alabama Power has been a financial stay through the years for us," Daws said.

The Alabama Power Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the nation, supporting thousands of worthy projects throughout the state. The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life of Alabamians and to strengthen the communities in which they live. For more information about the Alabama Power Foundation, log on to www.alabamapowerfoundation.com.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.3 million customers across the state. For more information about Alabama Power, log on to www.alabamapower.com.