N4N, S. Fla. Dealership Award Car To Dad In Need
NORTH MIAMI (CBS4) - Aaron Harrigan and his 5 month old daughter have been through a lifetime of challenges just in past year.
"This year has been a disaster," Harrigan explained to CBS4's Nicole Maristany, "I'm like 'ok my car is going to get in an accident, I'm going to lose a job', but not this, especially not now, especially cause she was healthy".
The "she" Harrigan is referring to, is his late fiancé, Antoinette, who died just weeks after giving birth to their first child.
"She didn't get to see her Mom and her Mom didn't get to hold her. I never went through anything like this in my life, you know what I mean, I'm not even sure I'm ever going to get over this" said Harrigan.
Looking for help to get back on his feet, Harrigan connected with Neighbors 4 Neighbors.
Neighbors nominated Aaron's story for The Miami Herald's Wish Book and the story was featured on the cover of the Sunday edition after Thanksgiving.
"This year we have a pool of over 800 people we would like to help," explained Sue Rosenthal, President of Miami Herald Charities, adding, "It absolutely stood out among all the other applications because of all the hard times he's had and because of his beautiful little girl and everything he's doing to improve her life and his own life".
Meanwhile, Neighbors 4 Neighbors was working with a local business looking to swap out their annual Christmas party for something special – and a match was made.
"We decided we were going to do something then we saw this article and I read in this article that this guy's dream car, Aaron's dream car was a 2006 Hyundai, and I thought what a perfect match aside from a very moving story," explained, Alex Falcon, General Manager of Lehman Hyundai.
The Lehman Hyundai donated a 2007 Hyundai to Aaron, and their employees came together to complete the package, with a car seat and accessories for Baby Liana.
"This is a lifesaver, It's been complicated enough, this is like one big headache – gone," an emotional Harrigan explained.
Gone, just in time for a very Merry first Christmas for this father and daughter.
To help a holiday wish come true for someone in need, contact Neighbors 4 Neighbors at 305-597-4404 or visit www.neighbors4neighbors.org .
