Auto Dealer Replaces Stolen Special Needs Van
Mancari’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM has early holiday cheer for family in need
Christmas came early for a North Lawndale family, when a generous south suburban business owner replaced their stolen special needs- adapted van.
On Dec. 2, Mancari’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM rolled out a replacement minivan – adorned with a giant green bow – for the Garza family, whose 2000 mini- van was stolen a few weeks earlier. According to Alan Siegel, general manager for the Oak Lawn dealership, they were able to modify the new vehicle to approximate the special equipment featured on the original family van.
Cynthia Garza and her husband used the van to transport their 29- year- old son, Luis, who has cerebral palsy, to doctor appointments and other outings. Luis is blind and deaf, has very limited mental capacity and is wheelchair- bound, so his parents faced a transportation crisis without the van.
Siegel said he heard about the family’s plight through a local news report and thought Mancari’s might be able to help. He called the dealership’s owner, Frank Mancari, to explain the family’s crisis.
“I explained what happened to the family, and right away, Mr. Mancari said, ‘ Yes, let’s help them out. See what we have and let’s give them a van,’” Siegel said.
Siegel got connected with Cynthia Garza, and when he told her the news, he said she “broke down crying” with happiness, so much so that it made him cry.
Garza expressed her gratitude when she and the family picked up the van. “I’m feeling thankful that there are good people out there,” Garza told reporters.
Though the family doesn’t live close to the Oak Lawn business, Mancari said he was touched by the story, especially because he helped care for his sister who had special needs. “It’s bad enough the child has problems, and then they get their van stolen? Just terrible,” Mancari said. “I was born on a farm in Italy and I got the American dream. I was very fortunate, so I like to help anyone facing misfortune.”
In addition to the modified van, Mancari’s gave them a three- year warranty on the vehicle, and paid the tax, title and license fees.
“We’ll never forget this Christmas,” Garza told reporters. “There are no other words – thank you so much.”