Lil Jesse Gutierrez is a young cancer survivor with an inspiring story who is now helping spread Christmas cheer to other children battling cancer. Lil Jesse’s family are the winners of the #PlanetFordWhisperer contest from Randall Reed, the Planet Ford Whisperer and Planet Ford. The grand prize was a shiny red new Ford F-150. The Ford sleigh was ready for a big-sized delivery fueled by Lil Jesse’s dream to help others and partners, including Planet Ford in Humble and Spring, Texas.
This week, Lil Jesse and his family dreams that they shared in their award-winning Planet Ford Whisperer video to help children with is coming true. Lil Jesse battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer and thankfully he has been in remission for more than two years. He is a true inspiration for cancer patients everywhere.
The 10-year-old now performs as a rapper at venues across Texas. His ultimate dream after winning the Ford F-150 was to bring awareness to pediatric cancer and deliver happiness to other young patients battling cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where he was treated.
Planet Ford and Houston Humanitarian Award recipient Mythiquer Pickett have teamed up with Lil Jesse for the special toy drive. They wanted to do all they could to try and brighten the lives of young patients who are currently battling cancer and undergoing treatment during the holiday season. Pickett says, “Contagious positivity is spreading love, hope, joy and compassion into the lives of people, creating an environment where parents never have to say sorry.” Pickett’s charity is We See Abilities. He gives those with special needs a better quality of life through the joy of sports and community activities.
A big thank you to the greater Houston community. Many customers, neighbors and partners dropped off unopened toys to both Planet Ford in Spring and Planet Ford in Humble. Lil Jesse and Pickett then loaded up the back of the Ford F-150 with toys and goodies that were delivered Monday, December 10th.
Community Coming Together
The Reed Family and Planet Ford are thankful to our neighboring businesses and local celebrities that took time to lend a helping hand, including, Miss USA 2008, Crystle Stewart. She is now the President & Director of the Miss Houston Pageant. She and her team assisted with the toy drive. The TV host and actress who starred in Tyler Perry’s “For Better or Worse” brought her crown and sash for children try on and take photos in during the event. Miss Houston 2018, Lesha Wincher, was also dressed for the occasion with her crown and sash for photos to be taken with the children.
Other companies like Adidas provided shoes for the kids to kick that cancer out! The shoes will get them moving and assist with rehab therapy. State Farm Insurance donated backpacks stuffed with a teddy bear. Microsoft Corporation donated a game console to the pediatric floor, and Benchmark Bank provided piggy banks for the kids to save for their bright future ahead of them when they leave the hospital. Plus, The Liquor Cabinet in Kingwood made a monetary donation.
Lil’ Flip Signed On!
To top it off, local Houston rapper Lil’ Flip signed autographs during the toy drive and escorted Lil Jesse to deliver all the toys collected at both Ford dealerships to about 45 pediatric cancer patients at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The event was a true success and that is what the holiday season is all about, reaching out to help bring joy, hope and smiles to others. The Reed family is thankful to have the opportunity to be part of this tremendous event. Mr. Reed added, “It goes to show, when we all give a ‘lil’, we can help a lot.”
