C
alhoun County native
Chassidy Bowen Casey
is spreading magic
to children who need it the
most through her non-profit
organization, The Fairytale
Project. Casey says, “Knowing
that I have the ability to
change a child's bad day into a
good day, gives me a sense of
purpose in life.”
Casey founded The Fairytale
Project (TFP) in October 2016.
She says the “light bulb” moment
came after someone recruited her to play
Elsa for a party company. “I was thrilled
at the idea of playing a princess (well,
technically a Queen!),” Casey says. “It paid
well too... but I quickly realized that it wasn't
worth the money nearly as much as it was
worth the smiles that I would get.”
Casey wanted to volunteer more of her
time to children who needed to smile and
began visiting sick and disabled kids on her
own. “I recruited a couple of my girlfriends
who I knew had the heart and would make
beautiful princesses,” she says. “And we grew
very quickly from there.”
By October 2016, Casey was able to file
for 501c3 non-profit status. “The first
organization I partnered with was The
Ronald McDonald House, which serves as a
home away from home for children and their
families that stay extended periods of time
at Children's Hospital,” she explains.
TFP has grown to include Ariel, Moana,
Anna, Snow White, Belle, Aurora, Cinderella,
Jasmine, Tiana, Spiderman, Batman, and
more. The princesses and superheroes visit
INSIGHT
children and adults in need at Children's
Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, DHR,
United Cerebral Palsy Centers, Easter Seals,
The ARC, Rainbow Omega, and American
Cancer Society just to name a few.
In her own words, Casey says the purpose
of The Fairytale Project is “To lift the spirits
of children and adults dealing with difficult
circumstances and allow them to escape
their world of sickness or debilitation, and
give them magical moments filled with joy,
hope, and love.”
The Fairytale Project offers a type of
emotional support to the children and
adults they visit. “Some of my favorite
things to do are a "Royal Coronation"
where the child reads a special oath and
becomes an official Princess or Knight,”
Casey says. TFP also offers princess
makeovers, princess lessons, superhero
training, games, and more.
Casey says mixing pixie dust and potions is
another favorite of hers, “The children get to
mix and match their own creations choosing
from colorful bottles labeled with things
like Happiness, Courage, Strength, Wisdom,
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