Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Turn5 makes a wish come true
Company presents radical Jeep Wrangler makeover
“[This event] also represents our ongoing commitment to Make-A-Wish to fulfill a deserving teenager’s dream. Earl’s passion and can-do attitude is inspiring.” – Steve Voudouris, co-founder and CEO of Turn5
TREDYFFRIN » It took three months, more than 500 hours and $30,000 in parts for the team at Turn5 to dramatically make over a 2002 Jeep Wrangler, as part of a Make-A-Wish request.
“It’s amazing. I can’t wait to pick up my friends,” Earl Offenback said when he was presented with the vehicle May 12 at the Turn5 annual block party and employee car show at the company’s headquarters, 600 N. Cedar Hollow Road. More than 400 Turn5 employees, friends and family, along with members of the Make-A-Wish Philadelphia Chapter turned out for the unveiling.
During the event, Turn5 and ExtremeTerrain.com presented the Jeep to Offenback, an 18-year-old with a cardiac condition, and Make-A-Wish recipient.
It was the sixth vehicle makeover donation for Turn5, an e-commerce company that sells aftermarket parts for Ford and Jeep models.
“This year was extra special as it was the first block party in our new office headquarters and a momentous occasion to open our doors to the wider community,” Steve Voudouris, co-founder and CEO of Turn5 said in a press release. “It also represents our ongoing commitment to Make-A-Wish to fulfill a deserving teenager’s dream. Earl’s passion and cando attitude is inspiring.”
Offenback was born with a cardiac condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome and has undergone three open heart surgeries since birth.
A Jeep lover and fan of the
movie “The Fast and the Furious,” Offenback’s wish was to have his 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport overhauled. His wish list included a new paint job, new tires; lift kit, and repairs to the engine and transmission.
Turn5 stepped in, starting the remodel in January. Among the vehicle modifications were: Fuel Revolver Milled Wheels with Mickey Thompson off-road tires, custom front and
rear bumpers; Teraflex 5 inch suspension lift; KC Light bars; Line-X exterior paint; custom seats; rebuilt axles; power soft top; and a rebuilt engine and transmission.
As the process got underway the Turn5 team ran into a big challenge, according to the release. Excessive frame rot left the Turn5 team with no choice but to begin a body off of frame restoration. After an initial replacement frame didn’t work out, the team was able to locate a second frame and move forward with the project.
“I can’t say enough about Turn5 and the great people that make up this company. They really understand the mission of Make-A-Wish and it’s an honor and pleasure to be friends,” Dennis Heron, Philadelphia Chapter President and CEO of Make-A-Wish said in the release.
To date, Turn5 employees, vendors, and customers have donated $249,000 to the Make-A-Wish organization.
The company supports Make-A-Wish by donating all parts and labor for vehicle makeovers. In addition to Offenback’s Jeep Wrangler, Turn5 has donated a 1996 F-150 makeover to another area MakeA-Wish recipient and has made over the jeep of a Delaware County police officer wounded on the job.
Turn5 also donates all proceeds from its annual AmericanMuscle Car Show to Make-A-Wish. The Car Show will be held in Mohnton, Berks County on Saturday, June 16, 2018.