HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The Houston Children’s Charity made history to honor the organization’s 30th anniversary year by gifting 98 wheelchair-accessible vans to Houston-area families.
The event happened on Monday during this year’s Chariots for Children Van Distribution at The Post Oak Hotel in Uptown Houston, an event the charity has held since its founding in 1996.
Over the last three decades, the organization has provided 538 vans to families and agencies in need of accessible transportation. But this year’s van distribution was the largest single-day donation of its kind in the organization’s history. In total, the organization raised $5.39 million in value for vans this year, shattering the charity’s previous record.
Each specialized van serves children experiencing mobility limitations due to conditions such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Rett syndrome, spina bifida, paraplegia, Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome, and other chromosomal disorders. Wheelchair-accessible vans typically cost between $60,000 and $100,000, meaning the cost is often too much for families in need.
“This is truly a life-changing day for these families and a meaningful moment in our 30-year history,” Laura Ward, president of Houston Children’s Charity and wife of late ABC13 Anchor Emeritus Dave Ward, said. “Each van represents freedom, access, and hope. As we celebrate three decades of service, we remain committed to meeting the growing needs of children and families across our community.”
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