Making Good: Season 5 Recap
This Sunday, the final episode of season 5 of Making Good, “Windy’s Ranch & Rescue'' will be available to stream- but before then, here’s a look back at an incredible season.
To kick off the season, Kirby hit the ice with San Diego Chill, an organization that gives disabled and challenged kids the opportunity to experience the thrill of hockey. With the help of Isaiah, who founded San Diego Chill at age 13 with his bar mitzvah money, Kirby trains for the team’s upcoming tournament. The thought of playing ice hockey in sunny San Diego was completely illogical, and the smaller logistical details of filming complicated things further; trying to film hockey is a challenge (as the use of helmets restricts faces), you’re always cold, and there’s always the risk of slipping and breaking a bone. But it was all well worth it to see the joy of the kids playing a game they love. Kirby held his ground as a goalie, and the entire team pulled out a victory after an intense shootout to take home the gold.
Stream this episode here.
Kirby trains in Salt Lake City to help Mascot Miracles create a dream event for Lilly, a phenomenal 13-year-old recovering cancer victim who is ready to celebrate her recovery with a day filled with mascots, food, and go-karts. The incorporation of the mascot world introduced a unique set of parameters to this episode. As the identity of those serving inside costumes is strictly safeguarded, figuring out how to identify Kirby among them proved to be a challenge. Once Kirby felt the pressure and heat in his moose suit and joined the mascots with the kids, everything fell into place. The crew was actually surprised at how well everything did turn out, from the go-pro in the helmet, to the difficulty of moving in the moose costume. And when else could you see Kirby hitchhiking in a moose suit?
Stream this episode here.
Kirby heads to San Antonio, TX, to join the team at Morgan’s Wonderland, a theme park designed to give families with both able-bodied and disabled members the opportunity to have fun together. As Kirby prepares for park opening alongside the staff, he learns just how important it is to empower families and allow them to forget any challenges they may face, even just for a day. Standouts from the episode include incredible staff member Ashley, who was great on camera and held her own through banter with Kirby. Ashley’s family welcomed Kirby and the crew into her home for an unforgettable home visit, where her siblings gave a heartwarming interview that became a crew favorite. Recipients Hayden and Jayden, and their loving mom Veronica, made it crystal clear why the inclusion provided by Morgan’s Wonderland is so important. Kirby getting the opportunity to sing his song to THE Morgan herself and make her day couldn’t have been better. This truly was a story brought together by the amazing people met along the way.
Stream this episode here.
Kirby visits his home state of Wyoming to join Saddles in Service, an organization that provides an authentic destination cowboy experience to active-duty military, veterans, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and first responders. Not only does Kirby hear an array of touching stories along the way from recipients and staff, but also learns the importance of animal and human connection. Even though filming the horses was difficult, as it was extremely hard to keep up with them, the result was the most cinematic, beautifully shot episode to date. Recipients Tom and Kyle made the episode exceptionally special through their vulnerability. This was also the first time the crew saw Kirby with hesitation and fear after being bucked off his horse; Kirby was able to regain confidence through prayer and support alongside Tom and Kyle.
Stream this episode now.
Kirby joins 3x World Adaptive Surfing Champion and 6x US National Adaptive Surfing Champion Jesse Billauer in California with Life Rolls On. While helping prep for one of Jesse’s surf events, Kirby meets inspiring volunteers, surfers, skaters, and event organizers, all while learning about resilience, inspiration, dreaming big, and faith. A highlight of the episode was wheelchair athlete Tracie, who showed Kirby the ropes of WCMX at the Venice Beach Skate Park. The third-act’s La Jolla surf event was the largest event the crew had incorporated into the show, and Kirby was able to perform his song to hundreds of people. Even though a Go-Pro was lost along the way, the beyond inspiring group of people brought together by the episode was well worth it.
Stream this episode here.
In Los Angeles, CA, Kirby makes quick friends with Carol, who introduces him to her non-profit Music Mends Minds, which creates musical support groups for individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other neurological disorders. As Carol and Kirby get ready for the group's recital, Kirby learns the true power of music. Each character in this story left a lasting impact on our crew and will forever hold a special place in their hearts. This episode simultaneously fights against the stigmas of these heartbreaking neurological disorders, and highlights how the simple things like just being human with one another can make someone’s day or even change their life.
Stream this episode here.
In a time of crisis, Kirby packs his bags and heads to Ukraine, alongside Gina and Beth of Wrap Ukraine With Quilts to teach sewing skills to help refugees make a living. Kirby’s skills are put to the test as he experiences the joy volunteers gain by teaching, while starting friendships brought together by service. The crew was delighted to take Making Good international by visiting the hidden gem that is Poland. This episode included a series of unexpected events to produce a larger than life episode that exceeded everyone’s expectations; though the crew and Wrap Ukraine With Quilts team thought they’d distribute about 250 quilts, the number actually exceeded 5,000. Delivering the quilts happened so quickly they were lucky to catch any of it on camera, but the smiles and interactions exchanged between those giving and receiving the quilts were evidently heartening. One of the coolest moments of the series was being able to watch American and Ukrainian women finding common ground with one another without even speaking the same language.
Stream this episode here.
In Littleton, NC, Helpful Hands and Hearts helps everyday people deal with challenging access and transportation circumstances. Kirby quickly learns that even though “access” and “transportation” are simple words, they are critical for maintaining, or even improving, someone’s quality of life. Founder Chuck was genuinely great, and accompanied by an intelligent, hard working crew willing to give up their weekends to help someone they would never usually cross paths with. The scenic interview, conducted right off of a beautiful lake, included one of the crew’s favorite bits where Kirby constructs a ramp for an egg. Recipient Larry was extremely gracious for work done for him by the crew, and seeing everyone cheering him on at the end was a tear jerking moment.
Stream this episode here.
In Tysons Corner, VA, Kirby turns up the heat with SevaTruck, a non-profit food truck serving fresh, nutritious meals to local communities in hopes to inspire service to humanity. Kirby is recruited by founder Sonny to help the SevaTruck team get ready for a big back-to-school night event where they’ll serve hundreds of meals to students. This episode was made by the beautiful, gracious, and warm cast of characters: Carol, Sonny, Principal Fallen, and Gurpal. And as the entire crew was touched by Sevatruck’s mission, founder Sonny was moved by Kirby’s generosity.
Stream this episode here.
Kirby finds himself in Overton, NV, with Windy’s Ranch & Rescue, a small animal rescue and sanctuary led by Janice, who has devoted her life to advocating for responsible pet ownership, especially of pot-bellied pigs. Walking onto Windy’s Ranch was like something out of a cartoon: a band of misfit animals all living together in unison. From a one-eyed dog to a stubborn emu, every animal on the farm had a lot of character. Between the animals and humans, it was evident everyone at the farm had found a home at Windy’s. Through the gnarly dirty jobs Kirby executed throughout the episode, including sawing the hooves of a 400 lb pig, Kirby showcased determination and even left the farm with a pig named after him.
You can catch the final episode of Making Good season 5 airing Sunday, April 30th at 5:30 PM, and available to stream online starting Sunday, April 23rd.
