CANFIELD — One-year-old Jamir Perkins of Youngstown smiled as he idled by balloons and checkered flags, anxious to drive out of the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.

His mother Anita described him as outgoing and said he will be “having fun riding around in the summertime.”

Saturday was the 9th annual Go Baby Go, an organization that gifts power wheel vehicles to children with mobility impairments. The vehicles are custom-designed to fit the children’s individual needs.

The Magic of Michael Foundation, started by John and Denise Hirschbeck, funds the project. So far, Go Baby Go, under the leadership of Beverly Lankitus, has provided 154 cars to give these children increased mobility and a chance to play.

The foundation established by John and Denise Hirschbeck in honor of their sons, John and Michael, was born out of their own experience raising children with physical ailments. Their foundation not only supports initiatives like “‘Go Baby Go” but also actively contributes to sponsoring such events. The couple said they have been supporting the event for approximately seven years as they aim to inspire and bring joy to children facing adversity.

The couple experienced the loss of their son John in 1992 at the age of 8, followed by Michael’s passing in April 2014 at the age of 27. Both sons had battled adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a rare neurological disease.

On Friday night, a large team of volunteers rewired the cars and designed personalized license plates, some with favorite cartoon characters on them. On Saturday, the focus was on fitting them for each individual child. This included installing plastic swing seats that hold the children in more securely.

Linkitus said they are always on the lookout for seats that have the pommel in the middle. Since they are hard to find, MCCTC students used 3D printers to add the piece.

Lankitus explained the cars themselves usually cost about $150 to $250. After factoring in the electric switches and seating supports, the total creeps up to about $400.

Mark Guerino of Brookfield said the cars start up gradually to avoid any jerking in the neck. Besides remote control, they can be operated with hand or foot controls and they have a kill switch for extra safety.

Warren resident Amanda Archacki, along with husband Chad, watched as a seat was fitted for daughter Mia, who turned 2 on Sunday.

“It’s amazing what they do for children,” she said.

She likes not only that the car will help Mia develop better head control and coordination, but also that “she can get outside and be like any other child. She is so excited.”

Steve McGranahan of New Castle, Pa., starred in a TV show called “Fat and Furious” and is a motivational speaker who bills himself as the World’s Strongest Redneck. Still, he has a soft spot in his heart for children with special needs.

When his friend, Guerino,told him what he would be doing on Saturday, he and wife Gina decided to help.

McGranahan plans to keep coming back.

“Anyone who does this, they can have a Saturday out of the year from me,” he said.

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