Georgia Power released its total charitable giving impact for 2017, including more than $21 million total invested by the company, The Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. and employees in Georgia communities and non-profit organizations throughout the year. Last year alone, 6,000 Georgia Power employees and retirees donated their time to help their neighbors and improve the quality of life in their communities by completing more than 147,000 volunteer hours.

"For more than 100 years, we have been committed to making Georgia the best place to live and work through investments in Georgia communities and organizations," said Sloane Evans, vice president of Human Resources for Georgia Power. "We truly believe that employee-led volunteer efforts have the most impact and are proud that our thousands of employees share a joint mission to be a Citizen Wherever We Serve."

Georgia Power's $21 million in total 2017 giving included:

• $16.2 million from Georgia Power and Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. Contributions were centered on the company's five focus areas of giving of Education, Arts and Culture, Environment, Civic and Community, as well as Health and Human Services

• $526,000 raised by Citizens of Georgia Power. With local chapters throughout the state, Citizens of Georgia Power is the company's employee-led volunteer organization

• $3.5 million of total volunteer hour value. Thousands of employees made the most of every minute of volunteering with more than 147,000 hours donated by Citizens of Georgia Power and Ambassadors, the company's retiree volunteer organization.

• $901,000 raised through annual Club of Hearts campaign. The Club of Hearts is the company's annual employee giving campaign, which highlights the work of Georgia non-profit organizations and community service agencies for employees and provides a simple way for them to give.