Big Jesse (father), Lil Jesse, and Angie (mother) Gutierrez, winners of Randall Reed’s Planet Ford Whisperer Contest Grand Prize, a Ford F-150. Family turns red truck into sleigh to deliver toys to children with cancer.
Wonderful and inspiring holiday news that Planet Ford in Spring is proud to be part of. Lil’ Jesse Gutierrez, a young cancer survivor and whose family won Randall Reed’s #PlanetFordWhisperer contest in September, wants to pay it forward. The family who won a new Ford F-150 the contest are transforming their big red truck into a big red sleigh to make some very special holiday deliveries.
Special Lil Delivery
Lil Jesse says he wants to spread some Christmas cheer to other children at the Houston hospital where he was treated. He has called on the help of Mr. Reed, The Ford Whisperer and the Planet Ford stores. Lil Jesse is a true inspiration, having battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer and won. He has now been in remission for over two years. The 10-year-old is an actor and performs as a rapper at various venues across Texas. His ultimate dream after winning the Ford F-150 was to deliver toys to young patients battling cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
Planet Ford and Houston Humanitarian Award recipient, Mythiquer Pickett have teamed up with Lil Jesse to create this special toy drive. They’re going to help brighten the lives of young cancer patients who can’t be home for the holidays because they’re undergoing treatment.
“Contagious positivity is spreading love, hope, joy and compassion into the lives of people,” says Mr. Pickett. And “finally creating an environment where parents never have to say sorry.” Pickett’s charity is We See Abilities. He gives those with special needs a better quality of life through the joy of sports and community activities.
Lil’ Toy Drive!
The public is invited to help by dropping off new unopened toys, now through December 8th at both locations: Planet Ford off I-45 in Spring and Planet Ford on Hwy. 59 in Humble.
On December 10th, Lil Jesse and Mythiquer Pickett will load up the Planet Ford F-150 sleight with toys and goodies and deliver them to all the special girls and boys.
Lil Jesse & MD Anderson Cancer Center Donation Drive
Drop Off: Unwrapped New Toys
Donation Dates: Now – December 8, 2018
Special Delivery: December 10, 2018
Donation Locations:
- Planet Ford on I-45 in Spring, Texas (directions)
- Randall Reed’s Planet Ford on Hwy. 59 in Humble, Texas (directions)
Grateful For Fellow Community and Business Contributors
Miss USA 2008 Crystle Stewart, President & Director of the Miss Houston Pageant, and her team will be helping with the toy drive. The TV host and actress has starred in Tyler Perry’s “For Better or Worse.” Miss Houston 2018 Lesha Wincher will be dressed for the occasion including her crown and sash. Ms. Stewart is bringing her crown and sash to try on and take photos in during the event. Adidas is providing shoes for the kids to kick that cancer out! The shoes will get them moving and assist with rehab therapy. Meanwhile, State Farm Insurance is donating backpacks stuffed with a teddy bear. Microsoft Corporation is donating a game console to the pediatric floor, and Benchmark Bank will provide piggy banks for the kids to save for their bright future ahead of them when they leave the hospital. Plus, The Liquor Cabinet is providing a monetary donation.
“Flip”ping Over the Support
Best of all, local Houston rapper Lil’ Flip will escort Lil Jesse to deliver all the toys collected at both Houston-area Ford dealerships to approximately 45 pediatric cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Delivering Smiles “The Planet Ford family is proud to be part of making Lil Jesse and his family’s dream to help others come true this holiday season,” said John Centner, General Manager of Randall Reed’s Planet Ford in Humble. “We are are blessed to be part of a giving and caring community where so many have already come together. We look forward to helping Lil Jesse load up that big Ford sleigh with the toy donations and delivering a some holiday hope and cheer.”
Giving Back
“We are thankful to have the opportunity to support Lil Jesse and his family in not only delivering these wonderful toy donations, but smiles and a lil holiday fun,” said Shawn Burns, General Manager/Operating Partner of Planet Ford in Spring. “We thank all that have come together to also help create this special delivery.“
The Reed family believes it’s crucial to give back to the communities in which they work and live. Growing up in an economically challenged home, Mr. Reed knows how important it is for businesses to extend opportunities to area families and the area youth in order to preserve and strengthen local communities. Each Reed family dealership sponsors and participates in local events, various school fundraisers and supports a variety of programs for children and families. “When we all give a little, we can help a lot for both the future of our kids and our community,” said Mr. Reed.