When Elda Garza learned that she and her son Miguel, who has cerebral palsy, would finally get a wheelchair-accessible van, she was happily shocked.
Although they’d spent more than two years on Houston Children’s Charity’s Chariots for Children waiting list, “I was honestly expecting it would take longer than that,” Garza said.
“It’s more than just transportation, my son is going to be able to move around and visit places like other kids can do,” she said. “From another perspective, I’ll be able to better transport him when it comes to doctor’s appointments or emergencies, too.”
The Garzas were one of six local families who received vehicles at Willie G’s Seafood Tuesday.
Though the non-profit’s in-person gala — scheduled for March 27 at the Post Oak Hotel — was canceled, fundraising efforts netted $1.4 million toward the mission to improve the quality of life for underprivileged, abused and disabled youth. The organization’s Chariots for Children program has raised more than $6 million and distributed more than 220 vehicles to 95 agencies and 132 deserving families since its inception in 1996. Miguel, 11, was hospitalized for an infection when his mother got the call — she fell to her knees and started cyring upon hearing the news. “I have no words to describe the joy that came to my mind. My whole world is changing,” Garza said.
Miguel is unable to move on his own. Before the Garzas received a van, Elda had to lift him into a special car seat and pack up his wheelchair for every car trip.
It’s a recurring challenge for families of children with disabilities. Laura Ward, president and CEO of Houston Children’s Charity, says that Chariots for Children has a waiting list of 50 to 60 names at all times. Applications are processed by case workers in the order that they’re received.
“We get the vehicles from ADA, Adaptive Driving Access. All they do is sell wheelchair-accesible vans,” Ward said. “They sell them to us for $36,000 each, which is a great deal, and they’re all sponsored by different companies and individuals.”
Donne Di Domani, the “Spaghetti Sauce Ladies”; Stewart Title Commercial Services; Valero Benefit for Children; Texas Mattress Makers; Young Houstonians for Houston Children’s Charity; the Amy and Gary Becker Foundation; Briggs Equipment and an anonymous donor contributed funds to this year’s van distribution event. Houston Children’s Charity typically awards twice as many wheelchair-accessible vans during its annual distribution event, but were restricted due COVID-19, Ward said.
“This organization helps the kids that nobody sees,” Garza said. “They think about the kids in the shadows. No one sees (my son) unless you go to a clinic or hospital. People think, ‘OK, they’re in a wheelchair so they can stay inside and watch TV 24/7.’ But they’re alive. This is going to make a huge impact to myself and Miguel’s life.”
amber.elliott@chron.com
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Six families receive wheelchair-accessible vans during Houston Children’s Charity event - Houston Chronicle
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