An elderly man from North Carolina marked his 83rd birthday in an extraordinary way last week, thanks to a compassionate staff member who made his dream come true with an exhilarating ride in a Lamborghini Gallardo.
Jessica Hickson, the activities director at Peak Resources, shared with the Shelby Star how she orchestrated this unforgettable birthday celebration for her close friend, Donald Hambright. For his 82nd birthday last year, Hambright expressed a singular wish for a Lamborghini. Although a luxury supercar isn’t the most practical gift for a senior citizen using a wheelchair, Hickson made an effort to find a model car as an alternative.
This year, Hambright humorously mentioned to Hickson that he had driven his imaginary Lamborghini too much and suggested that he would be happy just to see one in person instead, as reported by WBTV News. Recognizing the opportunity, Hickson sprang into action and made an urgent appeal on Facebook just two days before the big day, reaching out to anyone who might have access to a Lamborghini.
As the story began to circulate, an exotic car dealer in nearby Charlotte took notice. Kit Sittiwong, manager of Metrolina Auto Group, told the Shelby Star, “How could you say ‘no’ to a request like this?” With quick coordination, the dealership arranged to have a black 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder delivered to the assisted living facility on Hambright’s birthday.
On July 27, the staff and residents gathered in the driveway beside the stunning car while Hambright was brought out with a blindfold covering his eyes. When the blindfold was finally removed, his reaction was one of sheer astonishment. The surprises didn’t stop there; he also enjoyed a thrilling ride along scenic backroads, later admitting to WBTV that his driver wasn’t thrilled with the top speed they reached.
“It was like being in an airplane. Such a roar. It took my breath away,” Hambright said to the Shelby Star.
The joyous day was such a hit that Hickson and the Peak Resources team decided to launch a new initiative called Twilight Dreams. This program aims to fulfill one special wish for each of their long-term residents, promising more memorable experiences in the future.
We’re definitely feeling the emotions from this heartwarming story!
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