Just call them Alabama Power’s version of fairy godmothers.

Though not attired in shimmering gowns or outfitted with gossamer wings and wands, Stacy Simmons and Amanda Lofton have the gumption, passion and can-do spirit to make magic happen for others. With that kind of energy powering a project, Simmons believes, sometimes “even the universe makes the stars align to help.”

The duo’s journey to making Disney dreams come true for Farrah Bassa – an eight-year old with sickle cell anemia who attends a Mobile city school – began with an Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) meeting at Barry Steam Plant. Seeking ways to help children in their area, APSO asked members to serve as “Magic Makers” for Magic Moments. Families must apply for consideration by Magic Moments, which depends wholly on volunteers to assist with each “big reveal” – the announcement the child’s magic moment will be granted.

“It sounded like so much fun, I couldn’t wait to get involved,” said Lofton, Barry administrative support specialist – Accounting for three years. Longtime friends Simmons and Lofton joined many Barry and Mobile APSO members at a Magic Moments training session in October 2013. Less than two months later, they were busily planning ways to make Farrah’s magic moment reveal a “blow-out.”

“Amanda and I decided to tag team telling her,” said Simmons, Barry administrative support specialist – Employee Development. “We were so giddy excited about telling this little girl she was going to Disney World.”

To make the big reveal even more special, they decided to coordinate Farrah’s surprise during a Disney Live! show at Pensacola Bay Center, about 45 minutes from Mobile. Simmons contacted Pensacola Bay Center, which donated tickets for Farrah and her family to attend the Dec. 13, 2013 showing.

Before the show, Simmons arranged for Farrah to have a “meet and greet” with Cinderella. With their big surprise in mind, the women positioned Farrah at the end of the line of children waiting to greet the Disney characters.

“Farrah’s face lit up when Cinderella walked in,” Lofton said. “It was priceless.” As the shy Farrah approached, “fairy godmothers” Lofton and Simmons surprised her with a Disney bag with gifts befitting a princess: a pink gown and Rapunzel crown, including glow-in-the-dark wands and necklaces for the show.

Farrah could barely contain her excitement as she opened the bag’s “castle doors” to behold the glittering message: Farrah, you’re going to Disney. When Farrah saw the sign, she immediately ran to hug her grandmother, who explained that Simmons and Lofton were helping to arrange the trip.
After the crowd had dispersed, Simmons and Lofton spent a few minutes talking with the little girl. “No one else is around – you can celebrate if you want to,” Simmons told Farrah, who, to her delight, “just did this little jump.”

Kristy Bassa, who is Farrah’s mother, said their family is grateful to everyone involved in making her daughter’s dreams come true. “Farrah was super excited, very thankful and overwhelmed, at the same time,” Kristy Bassa said. For these girls to take the time and present Farrah’s Magic Moment the way they did was so special. I want these ladies to continue to be part of Farrah’s life.”

That suits Simmons just fine. “Since then, Farrah has called me and Amanda her fairy godmothers,” she said, smiling with happiness. After the reveal, Simmons placed Farrah’s photos in a children’s book and mailed it to her. “The book says we will be forever friends,” Simmons added.
To maintain Farrah’s momentum of excitement about her spring break adventure, monthly they send the youngster a goody box with toys, generously donated by Barry APSO. “Everything we do is done in the name of APSO,” Simmons noted. “We want to have Magic Moments train our APSO board, so our chapter can help more children.”

This happy Magic Makers team said their experience with Farrah and her family has brought a new dimension to their lives.

“If I hadn’t done this project, there’s no way I would have met these people,” Simmons said. “Now I can’t imagine not knowing them. I can’t go a week without checking on them, talking to Farrah’s mom and making sure how they are doing. It’s such a good feeling to be a part of something so good – it’s been a blast. The way the pieces came together, everything was magical.”

To that end, Magic Moments Statewide Coordinator Kaitlin Bitz said that Simmons’ and Lofton’s work through APSO is helping weave a “happily-ever-after tale” for Farrah and her family.

“We thank Stacy, Amanda, Alabama Power and APSO for helping us bring such joy to the lives of Alabama’s most deserving children,” Bitz said. “They have experienced first-hand the powerful impact we make by giving a sick child a magic moment. We couldn’t do the great work we do without the help of committed volunteers like Stacy and Amanda. They’ve brought so much joy to Farrah and her family, who will never forget their kindness.”

— by Donna Cope