Let's help Make-A-Wish come true for Justin Lilly
There are many times we hear about needy individuals who we'd like to help, but don't know exactly what to do. We'll make this one simple then. Make-A-Wish and the Custom Cars & Concepts Program at Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor, Michigan need money. They need donations to help complete a special project. They are hoping to raise $20,000 to finish the restoration of a 1951 Ford F100 pickup truck. The truck belongs to one Justin Lilly, who was born with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. That means his lung capacity is only about 30 percent that of a typical teenager. His dad and uncle had purchased this truck as a restoration project 30 years ago, but never got very far with it. Neither did Justin and his grandfather when they resurrected the project in 2002. That's when Make-A-Wish got involved.
Follow the jump to read the rest of Justin's story and find out how you can give to help.
[Source: iZoom]
The Make-A-Wish Foundation had the car sent over to Gary Sobbry, Jr. at Washtenaw CC (WCC). Sobbry is the WCC department chairman (and an instructor) who has built numerous show and race cars with his students. The school has produced a string of award-winning restorations and custom jobs since it started the Custom Cars & Concepts Program in '02. Many of their graduates are now working in auto restoration and customization careers. The school received the truck and some initial help from Ford Racing, in the form of a former-Cannonball 2003 SVT Cobra engine. The motor now has a Kenne-Bell supercharger, custom Mass-Air meter and injectors, and a custom fuel system, which is good for about 630 flywheel hp. That's quite a bit better than stock, but Justin can dial it back a bit if wanted with a larger pulley.
Sobbry wants to get the project finished during the upcoming summer session, but needs a little help and $20,000 should just about cover it. That's where the automotive enthusiast community is needed. Any amount will help. You can write a check to "Washtenaw Community College" with "Justin Lilly" or "Make-A-Wish" written on the memo line and send it to:
Washtenaw Community College
c/o Gary Sobbry
4800 E. Huron River Dr.
Ann Arbor MI 48106
Of course, your donation is tax-deductible. There's also a website that has been tracking the project's progress. Check it out and don't forget to give whatever you can spare.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Justin 10:07PM (2/09/2008)
Hi My name is justin Lilly thank for all your suport and all wether you gave of your time or a finachole gift the truck now complyded and I will get it after the 2008 Deatrit autorama Mch 7-9.
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Mason Hill 6:36PM (5/07/2007)
My $25 check is in the mail today! It's worthwhile to help another gearhead in need to make his dream come true. Come on bloggers, ante' up!
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Brenda ... 7:02PM (5/07/2007)
My check is in the mail, too.
Good luck Justin!!
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Jason 9:28AM (5/08/2007)
The only question i have, is this current? i would love to help out but the blog is from last summer... do we still know these details to all be true?
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Frank in L.A. 12:02PM (5/08/2007)
Bless you guys for helping this young soul. That is one bad F100 truck.
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JC 9:45PM (5/08/2007)
I am a student at Washtenaw Community College, and have had my hands on this project a few times along with other projects we've had at school. This project is our next in line to be completed, and is being worked on currently by WCC students and staffers. Myself, I'm probably not gonna be working much on this project this summer, as I'm not taking summer classes, but will be back in the fall to complete the CCC program.
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