Paving the Way - Revved Up and Ready

A Message from Rebecca

Delivery Day in Kansas City is just around the bend, and our team is racing to finish every car on the production line. After all, there are dozens of kids and hundreds of family members waiting for the big day - a day filled with anticipation, overwhelming joy and the kind of good stress that comes with a life-changing event.

At Geeks for Kids, we believe that mobility is key to helping kids learn and grow. And, the freedom to play gives kids a greater sense of belonging and joy. For children with movement limitations independent mobility is frequently out of reach. All too often this is because our kids cannot get the resources they need. At other times, it is because current products simply don’t go where our kids want to go. This is why every adaptive car and device we deliver is provided completely free of charge to the families we serve.

And, it is truly a labor of love. Everyone who helps design and build cars, put on delivery events and do the thousands of other tasks involved volunteer their time to bring these custom cars and other assistive devices to life.

As our team puts the final touches on this year’s fleet, we are constantly reminded of the immense joy Delivery Day will bring, reflecting on the children's stories and the daily challenges they courageously face. Our ultimate hope is that, once securely in the driver’s seat, our kids can finally race a friend, chase a sibling, toss a Frisbee with a parent, or explore their world independently.

Delivery Day is truly life-changing — not just for the families who receive the gift of mobility, but also for our team who are forever inspired by our sweet children - by their determination, joy and creativity.

To our incredible team, thank you for making this all possible. We are almost at the finish line! And to our recipient children, we can’t wait to see the moment you take the driver’s seat.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

With gratitude and excitement,
Rebecca Kidwell

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Dreams on the Go

Off to the Races with Jiff

At Geeks for Kids, our mission is simple: to get kids on the move. Our team is constantly inspired by the lasting impact of this work, an impact best exemplified by children like Ella. Her journey reminds us that movement sparks joy and fuels growth.

Two years after receiving her adaptive car, Ella’s mom sent us the following video. She said that Ellia still takes the wheel every single day — usually with her favorite sidekick, her dog, Jiff, in tow.

“We are honored to play a part in helping children, like Ella, turn their dreams of independence into reality,” shared Rebecca, LEARN president.

When Geeks for Kids was introduced to her in 2024, Ella’s parents were in the middle of her adoption. Her mother shared, "Ella was born during a traumatic home birth and was resuscitated by EMS. After four months in the NICU and multiple surgeries, she faced medical complexities that severely limited her movement and stamina".

Despite these odds, Ella proved incredibly resilient. She was ready to explore the world, and her mom was determined to provide her with as normal a toddlerhood as possible. She applied to Geeks for Kids in the hope that one of our adaptive vehicles could provide the independence she craved.

The Geeks for Kids team built Ella a custom, joystick-driven car and delivered it the following spring. Her mom recently shared this heartwarming update.

“Ella's story is a powerful testament to the lasting joy our kids get from the freedom to explore and play. The gift of mobility resonates for years,” Kidwell expressed. “As our next Delivery Day quickly approaches, we are filled with anticipation to welcome more deserving children and families into our community and provide them with adaptive cars that unlock new worlds of possibility.”

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Impact Drivers

Rose-Hulman Team

At Geeks for Kids, our mission is fueled by people who generously give their time, talent and heart to help children experience greater independence and joy. This includes the many students, professors and mentors who form our Invent for Good teams.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a perfect example of that collaboration. This year’s Rose-Hulman biomedical engineering seniors improved the alerting sub-systems for our Collision Prevention system.

According to Rebecca Kidwell, LEARN president, “Over the last 18 months, this team brought their passion and dedication to our mission and made a meaningful difference in the lives of children with mobility limitations.”

Rose-Hulman team member Gracie Beaudry shared that the decision to support Geeks for Kids was rooted in a shared sense of purpose.

“We know it is our job as biomedical engineers to help people who often feel helpless, and we believe LEARN shares that mission. After seeing all the adorable faces on their website and getting to hear the stories of a few kids, we knew this was our project.”

That connection to Geeks for Kids mission quickly grew into something even more impactful. As the team presented their work and shared the stories behind the children they hoped to help, they realized just how deeply the project resonated with others.

“When we gave our first presentation to our department, we almost brought the room to tears,” shared Beaudry. “We had multiple people share stories of having siblings who have faced similar issues.” Katie Calderon, Abigail Strickland, Gracie Beaudry, Dannie Dougherty (shown at right in order) of the Rose-Hulman team, the experience reinforced why programs like Geeks for Kids matter so deeply and how it impacts the students and volunteers who become part of the journey.

“LEARN is not just making fun toys for these kids. Geeks for Kids will not leave anyone out of the fun! Programs like these deliver autonomy and promote learning,” Beaudry expressed. We are incredibly grateful to our Rose-Hulman team, whose compassion, innovation and commitment help drive our mission forward. Their work is creating opportunities for children to explore the world around them with greater freedom and excitement.

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Hitting the Road

Without Leaving Home

When summer temperatures soar, families may find themselves searching for meaningful ways to keep kids entertained and engaged indoors.

The good news? Some of the best summer memories can happen right at home.

Indoor activities can provide opportunities for creativity, sensory exploration and family bonding without the physical stress that extreme heat and outdoor environments can sometimes create. With a little imagination, families can transform ordinary summer days into exciting adventures.

Turn the Living Room into a Destination

Who says you have to travel to go on an adventure? Head to the beach, complete with ocean sounds, sunglasses, beach towels and tropical snacks without leaving home.

Families can also:

• Build blanket forts
• Watch virtual zoo or aquarium tours
• Explore another country through music, food and crafts

All from the comfort of an air-conditioned living room.

Bring Movement Indoors

Physical activity is important for every child, and indoor movement can still be fun and accessible.

Try:

• Balloon volleyball
• Chair-friendly dance parties
• Indoor bowling with plastic bottles
• Yoga or stretching routines designed for children

These activities can bring laughter and movement that feels enjoyable and inclusive.

Create “Yes Days”

One of the simplest ways to make summer special is by giving children more choices and opportunities to lead activities. A “Yes Day” can include small, manageable decisions that make kids feel empowered:

• Choosing the movie for family night
• Picking dinner or a special treat
• Selecting a craft or game

Offering choices can help build confidence and independence.

Summer does not have to look picture-perfect to be meaningful. Some days may involve messes, boredom or changed plans, and that’s okay. Whether it’s a living room dance party, a movie marathon or an afternoon spent creating art together, indoor summer days can still be filled with memories and connection.

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Tech Talk

Unveiling our New Base Car

As our new base car revs its engine to roll into Delivery Day Kansas City, we are at the start of a new chapter in how we envision movement and possibility for our drivers. On June 7 at Porsche Kansas City, we will unveil the latest evolution of our vehicle, now built upon the Ryder All-Wheel-Drive Buggy. By adopting this new base, we have completely reimagined our foundation.

With a custom, welded undercarriage, our new base car is sturdier than ever. New mounting systems ensure that every built-in assistive device is accessible and adjustable - not to mention easier to install. Upgraded motors provide more power. The new batteries also provide more power, and we have moved them to a location that is more accessible for charging and quick changes. As a result, this platform now supports kids of a wider range of sizes and abilities.

The new seating design offers superior comfort and improved posture, helping riders stay engaged longer with less fatigue. We have even updated the colors and patterns to ensure every ride feels personal.

As the Delivery Day approaches, the excitement is about more than just a new vehicle. It's about the freedom this technology unlocks. We look forward to seeing the confidence and comfort these vehicles bring to every driver.

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