Justin Timberlake gave his fellow Tennessean a special holiday gift!
17-year-old Jake Stitt from Morristown, Tennessee, lives with cerebral palsy and is known in his hometown for sitting in his wheelchair outside with a sign that reads “Honk if you’re happy.”
His father, Tim, is his primary caregiver but has began to lose function in his hands after repeatedly lifting his son in and out of their van. In response, actor Michael Abbott Jr. started a fundraiser for a $35,000 wheelchair-accessible van. “Jake Stitt is 17 years old. He loves sports, the outdoors & maintains a busy social life,” Abbott tweeted. “His father is desperate for a handicapped accessible van in order for Jake to keep living at home.”
Unfortunately, the GoFundMe page did not raise enough money, but Timberlake was so moved by the story, that he purchased the van for the Stitt family a day before Thanksgiving (Nov. 25).
The star hopped on a Zoom chat with Jake and his dad, where he shared, “I heard there was a goal to try to get this van before Thanksgiving. I heard your story and saw a little news clip about it and I was just so moved.”
“I want you guys to have a great holiday, and you inspire me Jake,” Timberlake added. Watch below.