Georgia Power released its third annual Citizenship Report that highlights some of the ways the company, its employees and retirees give back to the communities they call home.  

This year's report follows the company's philanthropy framework through the theme "We Help Because It's Home," which showcases how employees are making a difference in their communities through Georgia Power's five Community and Corporate Relations focus areas, including:

• Strengthening health and human services through the efforts of employees like Crystal Godfrey of Valdosta who gave her time to the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Lowndes County.

• Improving education through mentors like retiree Jack Dogan in Augusta who partnered with K-12 schools to assist students with development, career exploration, and experiences in science, technology, engineering and math.

• Collaborating with civic and community organizations through grassroots efforts of employees like Sarah Beth Todd in Atlanta that helped engage and support military and veteran groups across the state.

• Enriching arts and culture for generations of Georgians through volunteers like Kesha Ward of Statesboro whose time helped ensure the arts remain a part of the state's heritage, fostering critical and creative thinking.

• Protecting the environment through employees like Jeff Pajor of Cartersville who led efforts in their hometowns that improved air and water quality, preserved natural resources and protected endangered species.

Through the years, Georgia Power and its employees and retirees have poured themselves into enriching the environment and prosperity of Georgia's communities, and 2016 was no different.  In fact, the company's total community impact totaled $22 million last year. Georgia Power and the Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. invested more than $16.6 million in communities and nonprofit organizations across the state. Additionally, Georgia Power employees and retirees donated over 150,000 hours in volunteer services – valued at more than $3.6 million.   

"At Georgia Power, we want to be known not only for the service we provide, but also by what we do to promote growth and prosperity in our state," said Mike Anderson, senior vice president of Community & Corporate Relations for Georgia Power. "Being a good corporate citizen is part of our DNA and will continue to guide our efforts to bring positive change to our communities."