There was a special delivery to the Brende home in Independence on Tuesday - a new dune buggy.
On March 29, thieves stole the family's old buggy out of their yard overnight. It was a major loss for Johnathan, an 18-year-old nonverbal quadriplegic, who loves going for rides. His mom, Tonni Brende, said, "He doesn't get much in life, you know? His world is very limited and this vehicle makes him no different than the other kids."
Through Facebook and GoFundMe, the family raised enough money to get a brand new dune buggy, outfitted with everything Johnathan needs to have fun and be safe on the road.
"This buggy is so much more than just a dune buggy to that little boy. It's an outlet to a new world that he doesn't get to experience anywhere else," Tonni Brende said.
When the buggy needed to be picked up, Brett Burmeister and Kelle Gilmore of Burmeister Gilmore LLP came to the rescue after contributing to the fund. Doug and Rich Hoffman from Precision Roofing went to pick it up from St. Louis and delivered it right to the Brendes' driveway.
The new dune buggy has rolled in! On @41ActionNews at 10, the Brende family shares what this means to them. pic.twitter.com/pE1qGCQG4Z
— Dia Wall (@DiaWall) April 19, 2016
"My neighborhood is kind of falling apart, but seeing everyone come together for this gives me new hope, new faith in my community," Tonni Brende said. "Kansas City really did step up to the plate and I'm so grateful. Thank you all."
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Dia Wall can be reached at dia.wall@kshb.com.
