Can Your Auto Shop Help Families Battling Child Cancer?

Auto shops, suppliers and manufacturers who want to help fight children’s cancer — listen up!

NC Carpet Binding & Equipment is leading the charge to help Wyatt’s Rides build a custom 1968 Ford F100 Ranger that will be used to raise awareness and funds to help treat childhood cancer.

Greg and Christy Spann founded Wyatt’s Rides as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization after their son Wyatt died of Medulloblastoma Brain Cancer on January 16, 2020 at only 4 years old.

When Wyatt was 2 years old, his parents purchased a 1968 Ford F100 for him. The goal was to gift it to him at the age of 12, when he would be old enough to help tear it down and rebuild it with his father. “Wyatt knew that was his truck. He would tell everyone ‘my truck’ as he patted the fender,” Christy said.

Tragically, Wyatt was diagnosed with brain cancer in late 2018. During his treatment, his parents didn’t leave his side. They quit their jobs to care for him, but their bills piled up. “There were non-profits, churches and individuals that donated to us to help us pay our bills. We will eternally be grateful to all these people,” Christy said.

Fourteen months after his diagnosis, Wyatt passed away at home in his parents’ arms surrounded by his family and his dogs.

Now the Spann family is on a mission to raise awareness about children’s cancer and raise funds to help other families struggling to make ends meet while caring for their kids. “We wanted to help others like they helped us, so we created Wyatt’s Rides,” Christy said. “Now we help other families that have children fighting cancer. We help pay their personal bills, give gas cards for gas to and from the hospital, and gift cards to restaurants (it’s amazing what a decent meal means to someone while living at Children’s Hospital). We believe that your focus should be on your sick child, not on how you will be able to pay your bills.”

One way they’re doing this is by restoring Wyatt’s truck and using it to attract people to their cause. “Parts, Paint, Leather, glass, a dash cluster, monetary donations of all sizes — it’s all welcomed and appreciated,” said Mal Maher, CEO of NC Carpet Binding & Equipment.

“I first heard Wyatt’s story and found out that they’ve dedicated their lives to helping families affected by children’s cancer. What a selfless act of kindness to pay it forward,” Mal added. “Now they need help to finance this build to make Wyatt’s dream come true and help other families. Who better than the auto community? No industry community is more tight knit and generous.“

F100Seats.com has already donated one of their brand new $3200+ Signature Series bolt-in bench seats complete with foam & wrapped in leather. NC Client Matthew Morgan is the owner of F100Seats.com and Morgan’s Auto Trim in Tennesee. When he heard about the auto community coming together to help build Wyatt’s ride, he jumped right in. After getting Mal’s text, it was an immediate yes for them. “Sometimes you have to follow your heart. Being a part of this project, donating something that can help send this build to the next level, is just the right thing to do.” Morgan said.

Christy said she’s grateful for the donation and others like it, and hopes it’ll help Wyatt’s Rides take on the very real tragedy of children’s cancer.

“The dream of building the truck with Wyatt will never come true, but we still strive to build his truck in his memory to help raise money for other families going through the same nightmare that we endured,” she said. “Wyatt’s Truck belongs to Wyatt’s Rides and will always stay with it. Once the truck is completed it will tour the country with us setting up at events bringing awareness to childhood cancer and allowing others to have a connection with our son, Wyatt and his 68 F100, along with everyone that has a part in this build getting recognition and becoming a huge part of the Wyatt’s Rides Family.”

The nonprofit is asking auto shops, suppliers and manufacturers for help to make Wyatt’s Truck the vehicle they dreamed of building for Wyatt.

Here’s what they’re seeking:

Ford Godzilla drivetrain (Wyatt loved dinosaurs)
A/C, Heat
Leather Interior – with Custom Bench Seat. Donation received from F100Seats.com
Dash Cluster
New Glass
New Trim, Grill, and Bumper
Custom Paint
Custom Wheels (We have a design in mind)
Carpet
New Chassis

Already, Flatwood Customs & Hot Rod Shop has graciously offer to build Wyatt’s Truck. If you would like to help build Wyatt’s Truck, please contact Greg Spann of Wyatt’s Ride (205-412-5877); Mal Maher, CEO of NC Carpet Binding & Equipment (973-481-3500); or Lamar Gregory of Flatwood Customs & Hot Rod Shop (864-414-9327).