Axalta Employees and GoBabyGo! Customize Cars for Toddlers with Cognitive or Physical Disabilities
Toddlers Received Vehicles Retrofitted by Axalta and GoBabyGo! to Help Them Become Independently Mobile
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Employees of Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), a leading global manufacturer of liquid and powder coatings, in collaboration with GoBabyGo!, a national program from the University of Delaware that empowers children with disabilities to become independently mobile through the use of custom-fitted motorized vehicles, retrofitted and presented six families with toy cars that address each toddler’s specific mobility needs. During the event, employees met with each child and his/her family to identify vehicle customization needs and then celebrated as the children took their first lap in their new ride.
This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170307006103/en/
Axalta and GoBabyGo! retrofitted and presented six families with toy cars that address each toddler's specific mobility needs. (Photo: Axalta)
“We are honored to take part in such a heartwarming experience that is rewarding for our employees as well as the families involved,” said Michael Bollan, Axalta North America Business Director. “Working with the GoBabyGo! organization provides an opportunity for our team to use their science and technology skills in a creative way, while helping families from our own community.”
The vehicles were decorated to match the unique personality of each child and then test driven for fit and comfort by the children. Retrofitted cars promote independent mobility, which helps to develop cognitive, social, motor, and language skills in younger children who are not able to freely move on their own.
GoBabyGo! began in 2006 at the University of Delaware as a program created by Dr. Cole Galloway to give children with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, down syndrome and other mobility disabilities the opportunity to socialize and move around with their siblings and peers. The program connects local clinics across the United States who have children in need with sponsors who create free custom GoBabyGo! cars as a team building exercise.
“The same joy and excitement experienced by every dancer or musician, astronaut or athlete can be seen in newly mobile children,” said Dr. Galloway. “Fun is key here — it unlocks brain development and exploratory drive for the child, and it ignites active, engaged play from adults and peers.”
To learn more about GoBabyGo! please visit www.udel.edu/gobabygo/.
About Axalta Coating Systems
Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable solutions. From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the approximately 12,800 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information, visit axalta.com and follow us @Axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170307006103/en/
Axalta Coating Systems
Kristen Boyd, +1 832 523 1991
kristen.boyd@axaltacs.com
axaltacoatingsystems.com
Source: Axalta Coating Systems
Released March 7, 2017