Georgia Power Employees Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Day of Service

It was a day on, not off for Georgia Power. 

More than 500 employees and several of their family members attended service projects across the state on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to serve their communities. 

Since 2005, Georgia Power’s largest volunteer day of the year coincides with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the only federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a National Day of Service, to honor the legacy of the civil rights leader. This year employees logged more than 1,500 volunteer hours across 25 projects. 

“As A Citizen Wherever We Serve, the best way our employees can honor Dr. King’s legacy is through volunteer action,” Georgia Power’s Volunteer Services team said in a statement. “Hundreds of employees across the state of Georgia will volunteer on this day on, not a day off, exemplifying Georgia Power’s core values and our commitment to making a difference where we live and work.” 

One of Monday’s projects was at Mary Hall Freedom Village in Sandy Springs where nearly 40 volunteers spent the morning organizing supplies, classrooms, and offices. Established in 1996, Mary Hall Freedom Village provides therapy and housing for women and their children struggling with addiction, substance abuse, and homelessness. Currently, more than 1,000 women and children are assisted annually, with more than 18,000 women served over nearly 30 years. 

While cleaning classrooms, building furniture, labeling toys may seem like small acts of service, Georgia Power’s Zakhia said they add up. 

“This type of work is really important to me because I know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated for service and being in the community,” said Zakhia, who works as an analyst and serves as North Fulton volunteer group President. “This is my community and helping women and children is near and dear to my heart. It’s really impactful and it’s only a few hours of my time. I’m sure this makes a big difference in the teachers’ days and how they’re able to educate the children. Small differences like this can make a huge difference.” 

Carla Hall, Family and Children Services Director at Mary Hall Freedom Village, said the presence of Georgia Power volunteers has been felt palpably by Mary Hall Freedom Village staff since the collaboration began in 2022.  

“Martin Luther King, Jr. said that we're supposed to support and give back to one another and to always do what's right. And Georgia Power always does what’s right,” Hall said. “It doesn't matter that it's an off day for them. It doesn't matter that they could have been doing something else. They want to give back to make sure that they're supporting us through our journey.” 

Another featured project was at Hope-Hill Elementary School, just steps from Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park in Downtown Atlanta. In collaboration with Hands on Atlanta, Georgia Power employees assembled snack bags for students and their families, wrote notes of support and thanks to teachers, and contributed to the painting of a mural. 

“Witnessing Hope Hill Elementary School filled with dedicated employees from Georgia Power and Southern Company warmed my heart immensely,” Southern Company employee Sade said. “From packing snacks to painting a mural that will inspire students daily, these actions embody the spirit of service that Martin Luther King Jr. championed. Supporting each other is truly the key to progress.” 

Other organizations Georgia Power employees served on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day were: 2025 Dream Lives Walk of Unity, Bald Ridge Lodge, Bloom Our Youth, City of Hope, First African Baptist Church, Georgia Mountain Foodbank, Hand and Hand Tiny Homes, Helping In His Name,  Jonesboro Community Food Center, Little Free Pantries, Manna of Thomson, Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument, North Georgia Angel House, ONE Roof, Pruitt Health, Salvation Army, Statesboro Soup Kitchen, Tharros Place, United Way of Coastal Empire in Effingham County, Valdosta Street Feed, and Westside Future Fund.