ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — “Anthony, you’re going to Disney World!”
Those words greeted 13-year-old Anthony McCants as he and his family entered the Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Robertsdale on Aug. 31.
While the Silverhill resident, an eighth grader at Central Baldwin Middle School, seemed a bit overwhelmed by all the fanfare, “I think he’s really going to enjoy it,” said his mother JoAnn McCants.
Pen Air partnered with the Magic Moment program to grant the wish, which included an all-expense paid vacation to Disney World and Give Kids the World Village for McCants and his family.
Because of the physical and financial struggles this family has faced, his mother said, they have never taken a vacation together. McCants was diagnosed with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus when he was 24-weeks-old. Confined to a wheelchair, his mother said, “He doesn’t accept that he can’t keep up with his friends.” He is like any other teenage boy – he loves Batman and being with friends.

While JoAnn McCants said she and other family members knew about the surprise, Anthony himself remained unaware until they arrived at Pen Air in Robertsdale, which was decorated in a combined Mickey Mouse and Batman themes, complete with cake, cupcakes and other refreshments for the family.
“We are incredibly grateful to the team at Pen Air for making this Magic Moment possible,” said Sharon Stokes, Regional director for Magic Moments of Alabama. “They are giving this family a precious gift – a respite from the stress of illness, and an opportunity to spend joyful time together as a family.”
The funds given are raised through Jeans for Generosity, an employee-driven fundraising effort to give back to those in need in the community. Each year, the employees nominate local, non-profit organizations to be voted on as recipients of this philanthropic program.
Funds are raised through payroll deductions and Jeans for Generosity days. The funds raised by the employees are matched by Pen Air and divided equally among the voted charities for the year. Through J4G, the employees have given more than $160,000 since the program began in 2013. Learn more at penair.org/JeansforGenerosity.
“We are so proud and humbled to partner with these programs,” said Melissa Dandridge, Pen Air marketing specialist, “and no one in the world deserves this more.”
At Pen Air Federal Credit Union, respect is a guiding principle. As the largest and oldest credit union headquartered in Pensacola with $1.3 billion in assets, Pen Air is dedicated to enhancing lives through exceptional service, strength and financial solutions.
Eighteen locations in Northwest Florida and Southeast Alabama, which include three student-run credit unions at area high schools, combined with online and mobile banking provide worldwide reach.
Pen Air is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial institution, serving the community and improving lives since 1936. For more information, visit penair.org or call 850-505-3200 or toll-free, 1-877-4PENAIR (473-6247).
Onlooker co-editor John Underwood contributed to this report.