Gulf Power Company employees are helping Santa this year by donating $16,000 worth of bikes and helmets for the 2012 Communities Caring at Christmas campaign.

Employees will pick up the bikes and helmets on Monday from the Wal-Mart Supercenter store in Gulf Breeze — but that’s just the beginning. The Gulf Power elves have to assemble the bikes before delivering them to Communities Caring at Christmas on Dec. 14.

“Each year our employees participate in Communities Caring at Christmas because we think this is a way we can be good stewards of the blessings we've received,” said Natalie Smith, Gulf Power spokesperson. “Helping those less fortunate also helps to strengthen our community, and that's a big part of our mission at Gulf Power.”

Communities Caring at Christmas provides new toys, clothing and daily living needs for low income as well as abused, neglected and abandoned children living in fostercare in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Gulf Power was one of the first major supporters of the program, which is sponsored by WEAR-TV and Sandy Sansing Automobile Dealerships.

Each year, Gulf Power donates assembled bikes and helmets as well as hundreds of toys and cash donations, all donated and collected by Gulf Power employees. The money needed to pay for the bicycles and helmets is raised annually by employees throughfundraisers, such as golf tournaments, bake sales and raffles.

This is the 17^th year Gulf Power and its employees have participated in Communities Caring at Christmas, with more than $25,000 in gifts and toys donated each year.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to Communities Caring at Christmas can drop off donations at any Sandy Sansing dealership on U.S. 29 or at WEAR-TV on Mobile Highway.

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.”