A Need for Speed

Make-A-Wish® Connecticut granted 18-year-old Andrew Lombardi’s wish for a Jeep makeover.

Like most teens his age, 18-year-old Andrew enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family, playing videogames, and working out. However, unlike most teens, Andrew has been battling lymphoma, which consists of numerous hospital visits and rigorous treatment plans.

As his father was beginning the process of buying a Jeep, Andrew decided to pitch the idea of possibly “tricking out” the new vehicle to Make-A-Wish Connecticut. You could see his eyes light up with excitement as he went into extreme detail explaining all the modifications he desired. After utilizing Andrew’s artistic abilities to draw a picture of his dream car, Make-A-Wish Connecticut got hard to work making his four-wheel wish a reality.

While at the autobody shop, a new electric blue wrap (Andrew’s favorite color) and parts, completely transformed the once black four-door Jeep wrangler.

A rainy wish day did not prevent friends, family, and a parade of 50 Jeeps from the Jeeps Enthusiast’s Club from coming out to support Andrew on Memorial Day weekend. After the keys were handed over, Andrew, with an umbrella in hand, began inspecting the uniquely designed Jeep that had just been unveiled to him. From top to bottom, he was impressed with the finished product which included the many exterior and interior upgrades and accessories he had requested: new wheels and rims, a lift kit, navigation system and high quality seats. Andrew’s family shared that they knew transforming this Jeep was his heartfelt wish because it was the first time, in a long time, that they had really seen him get jazzed about anything. Before driving off, Andrew had a message for other wish kids, “even though it is tough and it is hard in the moment, it is always going to get better, and you are always going to have friends and family to help you along in that journey.”

With Prom right around the corner, Andrew is looking forward to using the tricked-out Jeep to surprise his girlfriend with a ride to the dance. He has also already begun to plan a summer road trip with friends. Whatever it is and wherever it may be, Andrew is ready to hit the road in style.

A special thank you to Rough Country for donating all the parts and to Redline Restorations for donating all the labor to make Andrew’s Jeep transformation come true.

Make-A-Wish is in the business of delivering hope, and hope has never been more important than now for our wish kids. It can be difficult to continue to hope when we have had so many dreams deferred due circumstances beyond our control, but the moment we have something to look forward to, everything begins to change. Hope is a superpower that kids living with critical illness, like Gabby, have been tapping into long before many of us heard the word, “lockdown.” Helping more kids find hope is something we all have the power to do, because for these children—as for all of us—the promise of a wish is so much more than a temporary escape. It’s a wellspring of strength to keep fighting for better days. Hope is essential for children living with critical illnesses and you can unlock its transformative power today. Don’t wait for hope; create it! Donate now at ct.wish.org.