Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LEHI — This week is the grand opening for a Quick Quack location in Lehi and it opened its doors in a very meaningful way.
In the middle of a snowstorm, you typically don't stop to get a carwash. But car after car pulled up to the new Quick Quack in Lehi on Monday. These drivers weren't here to see their car shine, they were here to see something special — Leah Landeen's smile.
"We always say that. Leah, she smiles with her whole face. I mean, everything about her is just smiling," Leah's dad, David Landeen said.
But not everything in life she has faced has been something to smile about. Leah has multiple health problems, and at age 10 has already undergone multiple surgeries. With down syndrome and autism, she requires therapy and has a lot of medical needs that all add up fast for her family.
"We hit our out-of-pocket with our insurance the first month of every year," David Landeen said.
And that's why the community is showing up for Leah and her family; making donations that Quick Quack has pledged to match. Friends, family, co-workers and neighbors all showed up to donate what they could.
"Being able to help them pay bills, and to know that people care about them means a lot to me," one of David Landeen's former co-workers said.
Leah's aunt Venita Simmons was brought to tears when talking about her special niece. "She is the sweetest girl. She has the sweetest heart. And honestly, they're, they're such a good family. They're so kind," Simmons said.
Leah's love means a lot to her neighbors and that love is being reciprocated.
"It changes us. We don't have to worry about how we are going to pay for it, David Landeen said. "We can make sure she gets the right medical services instead of having to worry, 'Can we afford it?'"
Even with the cold and snowy weather, there is no better time to come get a carwash in Lehi.
Travis Kimball, founding partner and chief experience officer of Quick Quack, said the company has made it its mission to fundraise for deserving members of the community whenever a new location opens. Quick Quack presented a check to the Landeen family Tuesday. Donations can still be made to the family, by scanning the QR code below.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
