When a famous author penned the words, 'Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands," he couldn't have been further from the truth. WyoTech's Sacramento campus is a noble example of hands-on-charity. Partnering with Make-A-Wish Foundation, WyoTech recently helped make a wish come true for 17-year-old, Jacqueline Bottle, who has Hodgkin's Nodular Sclerosis, a form of cancer.
Jacqueline has always dreamed of being able to drive the 1989 Ford Bronco her father gave her for graduation, under one condition-that the car look, as she puts it, "cool." "Cool" is what WyoTech delivered.
"This project reinforces WyoTech's commitment to excellence, as well as our dedicated efforts to help the community," said WyoTech Sacramento Campus President, John Hurd. WyoTech students and faculty helped grant Jacqueline's wish by stripping the truck to bare metal and repairing all minor dents and dings.
Once primed, it was sent to WyoTech's Automotive department where it received a new A/C compressor and tune-up of the A/C system, new brakes and other minor mechanical repairs. It returned to the Refinishing department to be sanded and painted with a black base coat, a custom strawberry-red fade, hand-painted pin-striped flames, and a clear coat.
During this time, the Upholstery class was busy recovering the seats and trim panels in fresh black vinyl and designing a custom headliner complete with Jacqueline's zodiac sign, Leo. A custom stereo system from Kenwood and Arc Audio was installed to complete her wish.
The unveiling of the new and improved Bronco was nothing short of a tear-jerker. Hurd, who was present at the unveiling along with WyoTech faculty, staff, and students, recalls the moment with a smile, "It was a surreal moment that I will always remember.
When she heard the Bronco coming into the shop, she began to cry and as she turned around to see it for the first time, she screamed and cried with her mom and dad, unable to fully take in what she was seeing."
Judging by Jacqueline's reaction, the Bronco might have been the best gift she's ever received, but for her family, the greatest gift was seeing the excitement radiate from their daughter. "As they were walking around the Bronco taking it all in, Jacqueline's mother kept repeating over and over, "You just can't imagine the difference you've all made in our daughter's life," says Hurd. "
I can imagine that watching helplessly as a loved one battles cancer would be difficult for anyone, so to see that loved one overjoyed beyond measure is certainly a miracle. Jacqueline's courage and bravery in the face of a life-threatening illness is truly remarkable. WyoTech is thrilled to make a difference in the life of someone so deserving."
Hurd continues, "For me, it's the pride and satisfaction of knowing I work for an organization and with people that truly care, but it should be no surprise really, because it's WyoTech. It's what we do and who we are that truly makes the difference."
For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Sacramento and Northeastern California, visit the web site.
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