Vestavia student receives trip to Disney World

A trip to learn about investments turned into a much better surprise for 9-year-old Emoree Nichols: a trip to Disney World provided by Magic Moments.

Emoree is a student at Vestavia Hills Elementary West and had surgery to remove a brain tumor in summer 2015. The weeklong vacation for Emoree, her parents and two brothers was funded by Merrill Lynch’s office at Brookwood Village.

Emoree was told she was coming to Merrill Lynch on March 29 to learn about finances and investing, but instead a group of employees came in with balloons, a “Frozen” character cutout and a sign that said “You’re going to Disney World!” After the announcement, Emoree kept turning to her mom, Aimee, to ask if it was really happening.

“She’s too excited to eat the cake,” Aimee said as the family and Merrill Lynch employees enjoyed a special red velvet cake, Emoree’s favorite flavor.

The Nichols family will fly to Disney in May and stay at the Give Kids the World Village for a week. Aimee said she and her husband Will were the only ones who knew in advance. They were afraid to tell Emoree’s grandparents or even her brothers Parrish and Sims, in case they accidentally shared the secret.

It wasn’t easy to keep the secret. Aimee said a few times her children almost caught her researching Disney World or asking questions about what they’d like to see at the amusement park.

Aimee said she’s looking forward to the chance to be together and enjoy a week without any medical worries.

“[It’s] us as a family having our first vacation since her surgery,” Aimee Nichols said.

Emoree said she’s looking forward to “getting to see all the characters,” including some of her favorites: Cinderella, Peter Pan and Mickey Mouse.

Throughout the month of March, Merrill Lynch raised over $7,000 through individual donations and corporate matching. Magic Moments Executive Director Joyce Spielberger said that since it only takes $4,500 to send the Nichols family to Disney, the leftover money will be spent on another child’s Magic Moment. Spielberger said a few employees have also expressed interest in volunteering with the organization.

Merrill Lynch was the pilot company for the new Moment of the Month program, where Magic Moments will partner with a new company each month to fund a child’s Moment. Jon Register, a Merrill Lynch financial advisor and member of the Magic Moments board of directors, helped create the program. Spielberger said Merrill Lynch was matched with Emoree since they were so close to where she lives.

“It’s important for people to realize that these kids come from their school, their neighborhood,” Spielberger said.