Community Comes Together For Paralyzed Teen In Dixon

DIXON, Calif. (CBS 13) – It started as the story about a boy named Ivan Contreras, a teenager paralyzed in a trampoline accident on Labor Day Weekend.  Now, the story continues with a generous donation from a complete stranger who lives 50 miles away.

 "Let's do something for somebody else for Christmas instead of always for ourselves," said Amy Harrison.

Three months ago, 16-year-old Ivan was in a trampoline accident in his backyard.

"Next thing I know I was laying on my back and I couldn't feel from my chest down," he said.

This week, his classmates at Dixon High School baked cookies and sweets to sell and raise money to buy a van for Ivan's family.

"I usually have to have two persons to help me put him in the car," said Ivan's mom, Angie.  Harrison lives in Shingle Springs and has never met the Contreras family.  But after seeing his story on CBS 13, she called the newsroom to see if she could help.

"I just went, 'you know, we've got that van sitting out front, I ought to call Channel 13 and see if they can take the van," she said.  She's had the 1998 Ford Conversion Van for four years.  It was handed down from a friend in good condition and Harrison thought giving it to Ivan was a no brainer.

"I know we're going to have tears of joy giving it to him," she said, talking to her daughter Lucy.  "We already did this morning when you called."

A friend of the Contreras family works for a Towing Company and made the drive to Dixon for free.  When the moment finally came, Harrison met Ivan for the first time and handed his mother the title to the car.  "It's a very nice Christmas gift," Angie said. "It's awesome!"

"I think it's amazing that she would do this for me so I can get back to my appointments easy now," Ivan said. "Without all the struggle."

On Thursday night, the kids at Dixon High raised $3,500, which the Contreras family plans to use for the van's registration and plates.