IASO Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Built by Pediatric Cancer Patients Raises $170,000 After Trip to Scottsdale
- Vehicle sold for $140,000 and raised an additional $30,000 in personal donations
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Jan. 22, 2020) – The renowned Leake Auction at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona came to a notable close this past weekend as a 2020 IASO Jeep Gladiator Rubicon was sold for a remarkable $140,000. Following the auction, an additional $30,000 was raised through personal donations from the Mauzy family and Gary and Muffy Bennett. The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer worked with childhood cancer patients and their families to assemble and modify this vehicle through their Industrial Arts Therapy program.
The patients and families installed parts and upgrades donated by build partners including Magnuson Superchargers, Hellwig Suspension Products, BF Goodrich Tires, JKS Manufacturing, IKON GPS, Hypertech, Southern Auto Body Supply, Top Notch Customs, Atlanta Custom Wraps, and Hi-Lift. Tool and service donors include Wizards Products, Anest Iwata, Milwaukee, Chicago Pneumatic, Orafol Americas Inc., Fully Loaded Interiors, Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service Center, and ApeWraps. Additional funds and support were provided by the Mauzy family, Rugged Ridge, Mtn. View Auto Group, and Truck ‘N Trailers USA.
The design of the vehicle was inspired by Iaso, the Greek Goddess of remedies and modes of healing. This name is significant because it was actually a replacement, built to help the foundation recover fundraising opportunities that were lost when the foundation’s two previous therapy vehicles were stolen in October 2019 and later found in total loss condition.
“We are blown away by the incredible generosity of the automotive community – from vendors to volunteers and personal donations to the final purchase, this project was made possible for our families thanks to the support of so many wonderful people,” said Austin Hatcher Foundation President Amy Jo Osborn.
“All of that really culminated when our families were able to work on this new IASO, and they did an incredible job helping us complete it in time for the auction. There aren’t even words to describe how thankful we are to Mr. John Staluppi, who was the highest bidder on the vehicle at auction, along with the Mauzy and Bennett families, for taking our mission to heart and making a difference in the lives of so many families facing the harsh reality of childhood cancer.”
