February 23, 2005

GMC Employees Help Disabled Kids Get Their First Set of Wheels

Davenport, IA – Quad Cities children who have difficulty riding tricycles because of disabilities will receive therapeutic tricycles through the efforts of Quad City RiverBUCS and Genesis Medical Center staff who belong to the organization.

The RiverBUCS, affiliated with the national AMBUCS (American Business Clubs) organization, received a $2,500 grant from Riverboat Development Authority and $500 from Quad City Bank and Trust to purchase seven AmTrykes. AmTrykes are therapeutic tricycles that can be operated by children with cerebral palsy, spina bifada, or poor motor coordination.

The AmTrykes will be given to six children and one Quad Cities organization serving children with disabilities at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27 at a party in the physical rehabilitation gym on the Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park campus. The gym is on the fourth floor.

“It’s a thrill to be able to do this for deserving children,’’ said Sarah Mullins, president of the Quad City RiverBUCS and a physical therapy assistant at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport. “Some of the kids who will be receiving the AmTrykes are already familiar with them. They may just take off as soon as they get them.

“It’s great to see the faces of the kids when they can get on one of these AmTrykes and go. We want to thank everyone for the wonderful financial support for this project.’’