The Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) is partnering with Children’s of Alabama’s Child Life Services to host Playtime Extravaganza, a weeklong carnival for patients and their families that kicks off today.

Each day volunteers will meet at the hospital and host games and activities. The week’s events include a mascot meet-and-greet, matchbox car races, teddy bear fair, magic show, glamour shots and carnival games. 

Since its inaugural year in 2008, Playtime Extravaganza has grown to attract hundreds of children. More than 80 APSO volunteers participate.

“Playtime Extravaganza is something we look forward to each year. When the kids and their families come to the events, the whole room just lights up. Everyone is talking and laughing – the whole place transforms,” said Kandy Bishop, a computer systems analyst for Alabama Power and the Playtime Extravaganza event coordinator. 

Media is invited to attend the Fun Fair from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. 

APSO is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) corporation of active employees and their family members. The more than 5,000 APSO members from 10 chapters across the state typically donate more than 50,000 volunteer hours to Alabama communities each year. To learn more, go to www.alabamapower.com, click “Community” and then “Charitable Giving.” 

Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children since 1911, offering inpatient and outpatient services throughout central Alabama. Last year, families made more than 670,000 outpatient and nearly 14,000 inpatient visits to Children’s from every county in Alabama and from 41 other states and four foreign countries. With more than 2 million square feet, Children’s is the third largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S. and has been ranked among the top children’s hospital programs in the country for the past three years by U.S. News & World Report. More information is available at www.childrensal.org.