Rose Nunez and her family have many reasons to be thankful on this Christmas Eve.
On Tuesday, the single mother of three received a much needed gift: a new car.
"Financially, I am strapped a little so like I just can't afford to go and buy myself a car, it's just that simple," said Nunez.
For the past month, Nunez has had to rely on family and friends to get to and from Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. She says the hospital has been her second home since her 13-year-old daughter Jade's leukemia came back.
"My daughter has been in the hospital since August and unfortunately, my daughter and I were in an accident and that was our only source of transportation," said Nunez.
The accident occurred on Thanksgiving. Around the same time, detectives with the San Bernardino County Auto Theft Task Force began thinking about Christmas and finding a way to give back to the community.
"Detective Snow came up with an idea about giving away a car to a needy family, maybe of an auto theft or something like that, and I said that's absolutely a great idea," said Sgt. Rob Young of the San Bernardino County Theft Task Force.
After hearing Nunez's story, they decided she fit exactly what they were looking for.
A tow truck company contacted detectives and donated the 1998 Nissan Sentra and others stepped in to make needed repairs free of charge.
"Right now, I am in so much need that I do feel very blessed right now," said Nunez.
Among those blessings is her daughter's lifesaving bone marrow transplant last week. Jade will have to remain in the hospital over Christmas, but says she's happy to know her mom will have one less thing to worry about.
"That's really cool because my family really needs one right now," said Jade.
As for those detectives, they say this is a gift they plan on turning into a Christmas tradition.
