A team of Appalachian Power Company (APCo) employees recently donated their time and talents at the A.D. Lewis Center in Huntington, W.Va. by sprucing up the grounds and building a much-needed ramp to the center’s storage shed. 

The A.D. Lewis Center’s goal is to ensure all youth in the City of Huntington have a chance to succeed and become productive citizens through education. The center supports students with afterschool tutoring and activities, incentives for making honor roll and education-oriented field trips. 

APCo External Affairs Manager Chris McCoy supports the Huntington territory and is familiar with the center and its impact on the community; he helped connect APCo employees with the opportunity to volunteer. 

During the A.D. Lewis Thanksgiving distribution last year, McCoy and Blake Botting, APCo key account manager senior, volunteered and toured the facility with director, who pointed out several areas where support would make a difference.    

“It was very clear the center could use some extra care and attention, and we felt motivated to lend a helping hand,” said McCoy. 

That early visit motivated the recent effort: 12 APCo employees came together to give the center extra care, improve safety and create a brighter space for the children who rely on it. Their work on the ramp and grounds will help the center continue serving Huntington’s youth. 

“I’m so thankful for all of the employees who stepped up to help out. APCo employees saw more than a facility - we saw an opportunity to make a vital part of the city safer and a brighter space for the children who rely on it,” McCoy said.