The December 27, 2015 episode of FOX Sports 2’s West Coast Customs features the presentation of a specially refurbished and modified van to 10-year-old Dominic “The Dominator” Cumo—reportedly the youngest person to be diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The van is courtesy of Caliber Collision Centers and the Auto Club of Southern California as part of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides™ program, where auto body repair facilities, insurance companies, and others in the collision industry team up to refurbish and donate vehicles to individuals in need, explains a media release from Caliber Collision Centers.
The original 2012 Chrysler Town & Country van was donated by the Auto Club and repaired by technicians at Caliber Collision’s Chino Valley, California, location, who volunteered personal time as a community service. West Coast Customs then installed a wheelchair lift, custom wheels, a television and other interior upgrades, the release continues.
The family received the van as a surprise presentation filmed in October at the West Coast Customs studio in Burbank, Calif.
With the new van, the family will be able to travel frequently from their home in Apple Valley, Calif, to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, which nominated the family for the Recycled Rides program.
“We are thrilled to work with West Coast Customs to bring the national spotlight to the invaluable impact our collision industry has in providing reliable transportation for those in need through the Recycled Rides program,” says David Goldstein, Caliber Collision senior vice president of operations, in the release. “Most important, we are honored to be able to provide Dominic with this gift of transportation so he can indulge in life to its fullest.”
“When we first heard about Dominic and his courageous spirit, we immediately wanted to be part of this project and help make this vehicle special for a family in need,” says West Coast Customs Founder and CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus, in the release. “It was a pleasure to work with Caliber Collision and AAA to put something amazing together for such an inspiring young man.”
[Source(s): Caliber Collision Centers, Business Wire]