The Alabama Power Foundation’s Power To Play program will award 36 grants to high school athletic programs across the state, including Keith and Southside High Schools.

The winners were determined through an online voting process. To be eligible to win, schools needed to reach a minimum of 100 votes. By the end of the competition, some schools had vote totals in the tens of thousands.

“Power To Play is further evidence about how much Alabamians value the role that athletics play in the lives of their children,” said John Hudson, president of the Alabama Power Foundation. “Communities are stronger when students succeed, and we’re grateful that so many people were invested in this competition.”

This was the first year for the Power To Play grant program, which focuses on the importance of keeping students active in sports.

Research shows that students who participate in athletics get better grades and are more likely to graduate from high school, among other benefits.

The Alabama Power Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2014.

Since its creation in 1989 with funds donated by shareholders, the foundation has provided Alabama communities, educational institutions and nonprofits support with non-ratepayer money through more than 20,000 grants and scholarships.

To learn more about the Alabama Power Foundation and its charitable initiatives, visit www.powerofgood.com.