Heads Up, Helmets On: A Safety Story Close to Our Hearts
Hello friends,
Here at The Melbourne Preschool, we believe in raising kind, curious, and safe children. That’s why the mission behind Helmets on Wheels truly resonates with us.
This wonderful non-profit was created in 2023 by one of our families here in Melbourne FL, in memory of Jacob Monroe, who was one of the very first parents to join our school family back in 2016. Jacob wasn’t just a parent; he helped build the walls we work and play within today — literally. On weekends, he’d be here with the owners, helping renovate our building into what it is today.
Kayla Torres and Noah Monroe founded Helmets on Wheels to spread education and awareness through their simple but life-saving message: wearing a helmet. They put it best when they say:
“A helmet isn’t just gear — it’s a promise to come home.”
Since its founding, Helmets On Wheels has generously donated over 100 helmets for this cause. Co-founder, Kayla Torres, shared that “thousands of people die each year from not wearing a helmet. Our goal is to spread the awareness of this through Jacob’s Monroe story who died from a traumatic brain injury because he was not wearing a helmet.”
“Helmets are cool and save your life”
- Kayla Torres, Co-Founder
The statistics speak for themselves. Helmet use reduces the risk of death in a motorcycle crash by 37% and decreases the chance of a serious head injury by nearly 70%. Riders without helmets are more than three times as likely to die in a crash than those who wear them. And while we often think of helmets in the context of motorcycles, the same awareness applies to kids on bikes and scooters— all of which are daily sights around our neighborhood.
Sadly, it breaks our hearts to say that this tragic story is unfortunately not the only loss our preschool community has suffered due to motorcycle accidents as well as a lack of helmet safety. Over the years, we’ve seen how something as small as forgetting a helmet—or not thinking it’s necessary for just a short ride—can lead to life-altering consequences. These moments have been painful reminders that safety gear matters every time we get on wheels.
“We have to protect the most important important organ in our body which is our brain”
- Kayla Torres, Co-Founder
Thanks to their generous donations, Helmets On Wheels provide helmets to families who need them, and also raise awareness and spread education about safety while on wheels- from skateboards to motorcyles. If you’re curious to learn more, or if you’d like to make a donation, visit: helmetsonwheels.org.
Because a helmet might just be the smallest way to make the biggest difference.
Ride safe friends,
Toodleoo ❤️
*All images courtesy of Helmets On Wheels.
Academic References:
1. Liu et al. (2008): Helmets for preventing injury in motorcycle riders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008(1), CD004333. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004333.pub3