POWERGRAMS

For Gordon Cashmore, making the decision to volunteer for the Children's Hospital Playtime Extravaganza was easy. Cashmore's son, Jeffrey, was 5 years old when he spent several weeks at the Birmingham hospital receiving treatment for epilepsy. It was that long-ago experience that inspired Cashmore to do his part for families at the hospital. "Children's Hospital has a special place in my heart because I know what the parents and kids are going through," said Cashmore, Information Technology (IT) analyst. "I can understand how those parents feel. When Jeffrey was in the hospital, getting out of the room and taking a break was awesome for him as well as me and my wife. I was so excited to volunteer to help with the Playtime Extravaganza when I found out about the project as a new employee three years ago." IT Analyst Michael Perry also understands the importance of providing parents and children time away from the rigors of treatment. His son Andrew was a patient at the hospital as a 5-month-old. "Playtime Extravaganza is not just a charity event. I do it for the kids and their families," he said. "It's not only a break for the kids, but it's a break for the parents, too." IT, in partnership with the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), recently hosted the sixth extravaganza. This fun-filled week of activities for patients at the hospital includes everything from a mascot meet-and-greet to a fun fair to arts and crafts. This year, for the first time, there will be two Playtime Extravaganzas. Along with the recent spring extravaganza, a similar event is Oct. 7-10, allowing more patients the opportunity to enjoy the fun. "The first time I volunteered, I was a little worried that it would be hard working with sick children," said IT Analyst Kandy Bishop. "But when the kids come in and start having a good time, I don't even notice they have anything wrong, and I end up having as much fun as they do." Bishop is coordinating the 2014 extravaganzas, along with Carol Grigsby, software developer, and Tiffany Gustin, IT analyst. These employees are part of a core team that plans, organizes and presents the events. The group includes five team captains who oversee the various activities. "We get more fun watching the kids' faces light up and watching the parents watch their children," said Bob Seiberling, IT analyst for Birmingham Division and team captain of Mascot Smiles, in which children and their parents get their photo made with their favorite college mascot. "We enjoy seeing the kids with the mascots, who are just big cartoons come to life. The kids open up to the mascots more than they would to an adult." Along with the college mascots, the families posed this year with the Birmingham Barons' Babe Ruff and three Chick-fil-A cows, said Bishop. Playtime Extravaganza featured carnival games, Hot Wheels races, a design a teddy bear event and "Glamour Time" photography sessions, where kids dressed in the latest fashions. IT Software Developer Matt Wilson dazzled the kids with sleight-of-hand tricks and taught tips so they can try them on friends. "We are so appreciative of our community partners," said Honey Cook, Child Life coordinator at Children's of Alabama. "We look forward to Playtime Extravaganza each year because we know how much our patients enjoy the games and activities that Alabama Power and Southern Company provide throughout the week." By Carla Davis Playtime Extravaganza HEALTH 4 Children's of Alabama patients raced Hot Wheels on course at hospital. Photos courtesy of Children's of Alabama EVENT LETS CHILDREN, PARENTS TAKE A HOSPITAL BREAK APSO members helped kids with games.

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