Employees throughout the company participated in National Safe Digging Month in April. Many customers in the eight states served by Atmos Energy submitted a photo of their yard, hoping to be one of nine selected to win an $811 gift card from a local home improvement store. In Kansas, because of the encouragement of the Kansas Pipeline Association (where Safety Specialist Harold Nelson is an officer), Gov. Sam Brownback signed a proclamation declaring April as National Safe Digging Month. DPA Jim Bartling was responsible for about 15 communities signing a similar proclamation.

“I also contacted 27 of our Chambers of Commerce in the towns where we are chamber members, as well as the Kansas Chamber that serves the entire state, and asked them to advertise National Safe Digging Month and our Yard Rescue 811 Contest,” Bartling said.

Also in Kansas, Harold Nelson discussed Natural Gas Safety 101 HELP (Hazard, Evaluate, Protect Life and Property) steps with the De Soto Chamber of Commerce. In Kentucky, Atmos Energy partnered with Lowe’s Home Improvement and KY811 to host live radio broadcasts from the Lowe’s stores in Bowling Green and Paducah, promoting safe digging. Nationwide, Lowe’s now puts an 811 sleeve on each tree they sell.

Kentucky employees also promoted the iLocate for iPad contest. After seeing a non-employee construction crew working, employees are encouraged to stop and check if the contractor has a Before You Dig ticket. The individual then thanks the group and asks each contractor to fill out an entry form for a chance to win an iPad. The employee also fills out a card.

“One employee and one contractor will win an iPad,” MPA Kay Coomes says. “We partnered with Kentucky811, which generously donated the iPads.”

During a collegiate women’s softball tournament between Tennessee and Auburn in Columbia, Tenn., softballs with the TN811 and Atmos Energy logos were handed out. Later, Franklin and Murfreesboro employees will staff callbefore-you-dig booths at farmer’s markets in Nolensville and the Berry Farms in Williamson County. Also, the fourth annual 811 Call Before Digging Fun Run in Radford Va., will be hosted by Atmos Energy and VA811.

In Louisiana, MPA Ann Hayward discussed National Safe Digging Month on the KTVE/KARD TV morning show in West Monroe, and talked about the importance of dialing 811 before digging with the 15-member Ouachita Utility Operators Council in Monroe. Employees also entered the Louisiana One Call Banner Challenge with the slogan Safety for All, Before You Dig, Give 811 a Call.