NFL star gifts new car to struggling mother of 6: ‘Don’t give up before the miracle happens'

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV/Gray News) - The Kansas City Chiefs may be playing on a short week, but one of the team’s best defenders is still making time to serve the community.

Chiefs safety Justin Reid hosted 28 families from a local school district at Victory Ford on Thursday night for his second annual “Just-In-Time for the Holidays” event.

More than 50 kids were able to choose Christmas gifts as part of a toy giveaway.

However, the biggest gift of the night was a surprise for a working mother of six in need of a new car.

“All of us here want to be able to give you this brand new vehicle!” Reid said as he gifted a new car to Bonnie Strutton.

Strutton didn’t know what was going to happen Thursday night. She showed up at the toy drive hoping to get some Christmas gifts for her children. Instead, she left with the gift of new wheels, courtesy of Justin Reid and Victory Ford.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Strutton said while holding back tears. “I’m speechless.”

Strutton says her current car, which is an old and rundown Suburban, is a gas guzzler in constant need of repairs. A few weeks ago, Strutton applied for a new car through a charity program, but was denied.

“It’s just been one thing after another. This is such a blessing,” Strutton said. “Good things keep happening, you just have to keep doing the next right thing.”

Her story of resilience and perseverance resonated with Reid, who wanted to change Strutton’s life for the better.

“The same way she’s doing the next right thing, we wanted to do the next right thing and recognize her situation and to help her out with a brand new vehicle,” Reid said. “We’re all excited to be a part of Bonnie’s story, just to play a small piece in it. We’re excited to see her continue in her journey.”

Strutton will be celebrating 30 months of sobriety this Christmas. She says she hopes her new car will help bring her family together.

“To have all my kids back in my life, and this right here is going to be more of a connection than anybody could know,” Strutton described. “Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t give up before the miracle happens because people do see you, they hear you and they love you.”

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