Kids in Limos: "Special Rides for Special Kids"

When a child is sick, the stress of making any decision, from choosing the best treatment options to how to get to an appointment, can at times be overwhelming.

Enter Richard “Dick” Flower, a Tolland resident who has made a conscious effort to provide families and their young ones with a bit of comfort and fun during this anxiety-ridden time.

After his retirement, Flower started a special limousine service with one type of client in mind: children with cancer and other special medical needs. Now, Flower's Kids in Limos limousine service drives children from throughout the state to chemo, radiation or surgical appointments.

"It is a work of love," Flower said recently of his organization. "Kids are so resilient. It makes me feel good. I love doing my job. Each and every child is special to me.”

The limousine is built with the young in mind, from the three televisions and Wii gaming system to the strobe lights, laser light show and iPods. The fridge is stocked with beverages befitting the limousine’s young occupants, who are invited to sip their drinks while reclining to look at stars on the car's ceiling. 

Kids in Limos has expanded its services beyond taking Connecticut children to appointments throughout the state or to Boston or New York for treatment; it now works with the Corporate Angel Network to meet children who are flown into Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks so they can ride in style to Sloane Kettering in New York or Dana-Farber in Boston for treatment. Kids in Limos also coordinates with the Make-a-Wish Foundation to transport children to and from the airports for their weeklong trips.

Corporate sponsors help cover the gas and other expenses. For those businesses that contribute more than $500, the organization will post magnetic signs on the limousine. In honor of all contributors, Flower keeps a scrapbook in the car recognizing their donation. 

Flower, who claims a resemblance to Santa Claus and who grows a white beard and visits children at Christmas, now works a 40-hour week to run the 501(c)(3) non-profit entity. Regular volunteers, up to 14, serve the organization, the children, and their families through fund-raising, mailing and driving. One volunteer in particular, Pete Anderson, owner of the Gulf Station on Merrow Road, spends 20-25 hours per week fund-raising and provides special services for the organization, including housing the limousine behind the station and performing maintenance at no charge.

Due to HIPAA privacy laws, Flower cannot approach children or families directly to offer the service.  Instead, Flower receives referrals from hospitals and other medical facilities. 

If you know of a child who deserves a limousine ride, or you’d like to donate or volunteer, please call the organization at 860-595-6455 or e-mail kidsinlimos@peoplepc.com.