Wheelchairs 4 Kids was founded in 2011 with one goal in mind – to give physically disabled children and youth a better quality of life. While working for other children’s charities, it became apparent to our founders, Lonnie and Madeline Robinson, that the need for an organization like Wheelchairs 4 Kids was great. Often times, they would meet children in wheelchairs and mobility aids that were in such disrepair that they were held together by nothing more than duct tape, or were too ill-fitting to be beneficial to the child. It was also common to hear stories of necessary medical equipment or therapy aids being denied by insurance for varying reasons. Filling that gap was and continues to be the mission of Wheelchairs 4 Kids. What started as a one-person show out of our founders’ spare bedroom has grown into an organization that proves that a small group of dedicated people can make a positive difference in the world. By using funds secured from a child’s local community, we are able to support our dedication to improving the lives of children with physical disabilities and their families. Wheelchairs 4 Kids proudly offers four programs to assist families in need. All of these programs serve our community at no charge to our Wheel Kid families. Our flagship program, Let’s Roll, focuses on mobility and accessibility. This program provides wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications, as well as other necessary medical equipment, that may otherwise be out of financial reach. The Facilities program is a sub-program of Let’s Roll. Through this service, we donate gently used items from our equipment closet to schools, clinics, and other facilities where they can be used to benefit multiple children. Once a child has received equipment through Let’s Roll, they become one of our fondly named “Wheel Kids,” which allows them to participate in our three other programs. Our Wheely Fun Days program focuses on inclusion and socialization. Wheel Kids are invited to join us for confidence-building, accessible, extraordinary experiences. Our Wheel Kids go waterskiing, ziplining, and indoor skydiving. They attend Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp, sled hockey clinics with the Lightning Community Hockey Development team, and live WWE events. They make memories that will last a lifetime at adaptive summer camps, Christmas parties, and Halloween festivals. These experiences help them make connections with each other, as well as break the ice with their peers. Additionally, Wheelchairs 4 Kids has a Scholarship Program, which makes continued education and vocational training a reality for our Wheel Kids. People with disabilities often struggle to enter the workforce. We want to help these kids grow and develop the tools they need to get good jobs. An impartial committee chooses recipients out of the applications that we receive. These Scholarships are named and granted in honor of four integral members of our team who we have lost: Lonnie Robinson (Founder), Lisa Schmidt (Director of Development), Chris Lehman (Feature Writer), Kimberly Knorr (Founding President). Finally, Wheelchairs 4 Kids has faced the reality of loss more each year. It is heart-breaking when families who are experiencing the worst days of their lives reach out asking if we know anyone who can assist with final expenses. That is why we started our Compassion Program, which provides up to $1,000 in final expenses. We’re able to fund these programs through grants, community partnerships, and donations from caring community members like you! Our Guardians of the Wheel Kids Club is also available for supporters wishing to set up a recurring monthly donation. Thank you for helping us help over 1900 children since inception. We’re looking forward to what the future will hold and are grateful for the dedication and support that we have received since opening our doors. Please feel free to check us out on social media or email [email protected] for more information!
