Justin Timberlake gifts a $35K wheelchair-accessible van to teen

Need a little heartwarming news heading into your weekend? JT has you covered. The singer and Trolls star showed his “True Colors” with a very generous gesture this week, when he gifted the family of a teen with cerebral palsy a wheelchair-accessible van.Timberlake heard the story of 17-year-old Jake Stitt, a fellow Tennessee native, after the teen and his family were featured on the local news. The family had been trying to raise money to buy an adaptable vehicle to help them get around in by Thanksgiving, and the fundraising efforts were spearheaded by actor Michael Abbott Jr. (Loving). “Jake sits outside the house and has a sign that says, ‘Honk if you’re happy,’” Abbott told the station, campaigning for the teen. “He’s an incredible young man.”

Congratulations,you did it!Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.Thank you all. You made a big difference in someone’s life this week. That should feel good. Happy Thanksgiving. @JoshSmithWJHL @GwendolynGabs @robinWBIR pic.twitter.com/qj5l10Xbdc

— Michael Abbott Jr. (@mykabit) November 24, 2020

Not surprisingly, Stitt’s story inspired many in the community to donate, and they were able to raise the $35,000 needed for the new van. But then Timberlake stepped in and gifted the family the vehicle instead, which means they now get to keep all of the money that they raised to help out with other costs.According to a follow-up WJHL story, the van showed up outside of the family home a few days ago. “[Timberlake] caught the story and was just very touched with what was going on with this thing and he wanted to reach out and decided that he wanted to purchase the van for Jacob and his needs,” Jake’s father Tim Stitt told the outlet. “It was just a blessing to be able to speak to that gentleman and for him to be able to meet Jake and see what he needed.”The outlet also shared a Zoom call that took place between Tim, Jake, and the performer following the gift, in which the teen was able to thank Timberlake for his generosity. “It’s my pleasure,” the father-of-two responded. “I heard that there was a goal to try to get this van before Thanksgiving and I heard your story and then I saw a little news clip about it. I was so moved, I want you guys to have this van. I’m going to cover all the costs,” Timberlake continued.

The family raised $35k to cover the cost of the van but they’ll get to keep that money. Why?? Because @jtimberlake heard Jake’s story and wanted to help. He got the family the van, and even hopped on Zoom to chat with the 17 year old. The reaction says it all folks pic.twitter.com/4WGVGd4VSb

— Sam Luther (@SamLuther_) November 25, 2020

“I want you guys to have a great holiday. You know, you inspire me, Jake,” he added. “The ‘Honk if you’re happy’ thing, man, you gotta keep that going. You gotta use this van, you can honk all over town now.”From the sounds of things, that’s exactly what the family will do. “It’s going to make his life much easier as we go into our future and it’s going to make my life a lot easier because there’s not many people that can lift him up and sit him in a van like he needs,” Tim Stitt added. “It’s going to make our lives so much easier because of the independence he’s going to have as a young man now.”Now hands up if you too “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” of joy from that comes from this feel-good news.[video_embed id='-1']Before you go: Puppy wakes up to realize he was howling in his sleep[/video_embed]