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7 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 8-year old with sickle cell anemia – began with an Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) meeting at Plant Barry. APSO members were asked to serve as "Magic Makers" for Magic Moments, a Birmingham-based nonprofit helping children statewide. Magic Moments makes dreams come true for children struggling with life-threatening illness. The organization depends wholly on volunteers to assist with each "big reveal" announcing a 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. Longtime friends Simmons and Lofton joined Barry and Mobile APSO members at a Magic Moments training session in October 2013. Less than two months later, they were busily planning Farrah's Magic Moment reveal. "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 more special, they decided to coordinate Farrah's surprise during a Disney Live! show about 45 minutes from Mobile. Pensacola Bay Center agreed to donate tickets to the Bassa family for Dec. 13, 2013. Before the show, Simmons arranged for Farrah to meet Cinderella, positioning Farrah at the end of a line of children waiting to greet Disney characters. "Farrah's face lit up when Cinderella walked in," Lofton said. "It was priceless." Lofton and Simmons surprised the child with a Disney bag of gifts befitting a princess: a pink gown, crown, glow- in-the-dark wands and necklaces for the show. Farrah could barely contain her excitement as she opened the bag to behold a glittering message: "Farrah, you're going to Disney." Farrah ran to hug her grandmother. After the crowd dispersed, Simmons and Lofton talked with the little girl. "No one else is around – you can celebrate if you want to," Simmons told Farrah, who "just did this little jump." Kristy Bassa was grateful to all involved in making her daughter's wish come true. "Farrah was super excited, very thankful and overwhelmed at the same time," she 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 my daughter's life." That suits Simmons just fine. "Since then, Farrah has called me and Amanda her fairy godmothers," she said, adding that she gave the child a book with photos of the event. "The book says we will be forever friends." Each month, Lofton and Simmons send the youngster a box of toys donated by Barry APSO. They said the experience with Farrah and her family has brought more happiness 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 with Farrah's mom and making sure how they're doing. It's such a great 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 the Barry APSO team is helping weave a "happily-ever-after tale" for the Bassa 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've experienced firsthand 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." By Donna Cope This Magic Moment pOWER OF GOOD Farrah Bassa (foreground), with her mother Kristy (left), Lofton, Cinderella, Simmons and Shirley Bassa at Disney Live. pl ANT bARRY EmplOYEEs hElp bRiNG jOY TO siCk ChilD