Mississippi Power employee volunteers decorate Prancer Path in Laurel

Mississippi Power employee volunteers helped illuminate the streets of downtown Laurel with thousands of lights, decorations and Christmas trees for opening night of the Prancer Path, a fundraising event hosted by United Way of the Pine Belt Region.

Located at The Backlot downtown, Prancer Path consists of a bright, merry footpath adorned with over 100 Christmas trees and other decorations for Laurel families and individuals to enjoy during the holiday season.

“It has become a tradition to help United Way of the Pine Belt Region decorate for the Prancer Path, and the experience continues to grow each year,” said Senior Division Assistant Sonyia Grice. “Our company’s sponsorship provides another example of how Mississippi Power continues to help others and make a lasting impact within the communities we serve.”

Area businesses, organizations and schools join together each year to decorate for the event. For the third-consecutive year, the company has sponsored its own Christmas tree and photo-op booth for the community to enjoy. Mississippi Power's tree proudly displays Louie the Lightning Bug.

The fundraising event first began in 2021, when Mississippi Power contributed to bring power to a parking lot completely void of electrical outlets. The company has been able to meet needs for increasing amperage each year with the growing demand of trees and lights.

United Way of the Pine Belt Region’s Executive Director Betsy Ivey said setup for the event would not have been successful without the assistance of line crew members, managers, supervisors and other personnel who contributed to make the experience complete.

“Line crews, led by Sonyia Grice, filled the surrounding trees, archways and shrubs with a staggering number of reels of lights using bucket trucks, ladders and a whole lot of electrical expertise. Mississippi Power supervisors were also hands-on in making sure every bulb was shining brightly, and always with a smile,” said Ivey. “Joe Cole has made this dream a reality with very generous donations to the United Way. Joe is a treasured member of the United Way of the Pine Belt Region’s Board of Directors and one of our most ardent supporters.”

“For the past three years, devoted employees from the Northern Division of Mississippi Power have used their skills and talents to help the United Way of the Pine Belt Region pull off our phenomenal holiday fundraiser,” she continued. “I think it is safe to say that the Prancer Path would still be just a good idea on paper without the Herculean effort — physically and monetarily — from Mississippi Power’s Northern Division. Their sacrifice makes this fundraiser a success; thus, helping countless hurting families in Jones, Jasper, Smith, Wayne and Covington counties. My heart overflows with gratitude.”

All proceeds collected from the fundraiser will directly benefit the United Way of the Pine Belt Region and its 18 partner agencies.

Now in its 98th year of operations, Mississippi Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), produces safe, reliable and affordable energy for more than 191,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties. Mississippi Power was honored with a Community Partner Impact Award from the Center for Energy Workforce Development for its innovative and ongoing efforts to build a diverse workforce. The Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve recently recognized Mississippi Power for its commitment to its military workforce. Mississippi Power has nearly 160MW of solar capacity at four locations across the company’s service territory, including Southern Company’s first project to combine the latest, cutting-edge solar technology with battery storage. Visit our websites at mississippipower.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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