Brighten Your Day

1,500 Cars Rally To Support Bullied Alabama Boy With Autism

March 28, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Clanton, Alabama.

When 10-year-old Hunter Blankenship picked out a pair of rainbow-colored glasses, he never imagined they would make him a target for cruelty. Hunter, who has autism and a deep passion for anything with wheels—cars, trucks, and motorcycles—simply liked the colorful frames.

But his innocent choice led to a heartbreaking encounter with a bully.

Hunter and his new friends / Credit: Meghan Fancher

An older child mocked Hunter and told him he should end his life. The cruel remark had a devastating impact.

"All of a sudden, he stormed off and he's holding a knife," recalled Hunter's mother, Meghan Fancher. "And I was like, 'No, what are you doing?' And he said, 'I'm going to kill myself.'"

Hunter spent two weeks in the psychiatric unit at Children's of Alabama hospital in Birmingham. As he neared release, his mother, desperate to show him that kindness still exists, made a heartfelt plea on social media. She wrote:

"Hunter is autistic. This boy right here loves things that moves motorcycles, cars, trucks! Hunter also loves his rainbow glasses. Unfortunately he was bullied about his glasses and tried to take his life. I was wondering if when released from the hospital, we could arrange a few people to bring cars and trucks to let him see!? He and I would forevermore be grateful! We are located in the chilton county area and I really want to make something nice for him!!! Please share !!!!!!!!"

The response was nothing short of extraordinary. Sergio Sanchez, a local Mexican restaurant owner, saw the post and reached out to car clubs across Alabama. The message spread like wildfire.

"Cars all the way from north Alabama to south Alabama," Sanchez said. "They literally had to shut down downtown."

In an overwhelming show of support, around 1,500 show cars rolled in, along with more than 1,500 new friends. The once-bullied boy was surrounded by love, admiration, and people proudly sporting their own rainbow glasses in solidarity.

Now, Hunter wears his colorful frames with pride, no longer ashamed. "The bully didn’t win," his mother said.

Watch the video below: