Justin Timberlake Gifts Wheelchair-Accessible Van to Fan With Cerebral Palsy
Singer and actor Justin Timberlake warmed our hearts recently after giving a teen fan with cerebral palsy a $35,000 wheelchair-accessible van.
The singer-songwriter and actor who is known for his work in the animated movie Trolls and the romantic comedy Friends With Benefits provided a family in need with a generous gift prior to the holidays. After hearing seventeen-year-old Jake Stitt’s story on Tennessee local news, Timberlake felt inspired to help him and his family. The family had been trying to raise money to purchase the van before Thanksgiving, and actor Michael Abbot Jr. also aided them by spreading their story.
Congratulations,you did it!
— Michael Abbott Jr. (@mykabit) November 24, 2020
Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.
Thank you all. You made a big difference in someone’s life this week. That should feel good. Happy Thanksgiving. @JoshSmithWJHL @GwendolynGabs @robinWBIR pic.twitter.com/qj5l10Xbdc
Although the community was eventually able to raise the money necessary to purchase the van, Timberlake bought the vehicle for the Stitts, allowing them to keep the money raised for other medical bills. According to The Loop, Timberlake joined a zoom call with Jake and his father recently, stating that it was “his pleasure” to help out and that, “I heard that there was a goal to try to get this van before Thanksgiving and I heard your story and then I saw a little news clip about it. I was so moved, I want you guys to have this van. I’m going to cover all the costs.”
Timberlake went on to tell Jake that he “inspires him” and continued to say, “Honk if you’re happy’ thing, man, you gotta keep that going. You gotta use this van, you can honk all over town now.” Tim Stitt, Jake’s father, went on to say, “It’s going to make his life much easier as we go into our future and it’s going to make my life a lot easier because there’s not many people that can lift him up and sit him in a van like he needs. It’s going to make our lives so much easier because of the independence he’s going to have as a young man now.”
I love @jtimberlake because he’s a freaking gem of a human. https://t.co/3yNMot1ofy
— Whitney Heflin (@TheOfficeJAM) November 26, 2020
We are thrilled that Timberlake was able to help out this wonderful family, and are inspired to help others during these difficult times. We hope that everyone stays safe and has a happy holiday season with friends and family this year.
