MUSTANG, Okla. — The Big O Tires L.L.C. franchise in Mustang has donated four tires and installation for a local family whose youngest member is battling a rare genetic disease.
Matthew Cook, the 8-year-old son of Mike and Maggie Cook, has Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects Matthew’s intellectual development, balance, walking, sleep and speech.
According to Big O, the Cook family has been on a quest to educate the public and raise awareness of the disease, traveling across the U.S. with their trailer hitched to their Ford F150 4 x 4 truck, informing the public about the disease and children with special needs and disabilities.
The Cooks have four boys, the oldest of which is 26. Mike Cook, Matthew’s father, reached out to Big O for help, noting that after last year’s trip, they learned “that pulling a camper for such a long trip can be very demanding on the vehicle.”
Big O responded.
John Kairys, vice president and general manager of Big O Tires, said the company prides itself “on being the team you trust and making a difference in the local communities we serve in partnership with our Big O franchisees.
“Helping our community is more important now than ever,” Mr. Kairys said. “We jumped at the chance to assist the Cook family in raising awareness for Angelman Syndrome and look forward to maintaining our relationship and celebrating their successes along the way.”
The Big O franchise in Mustang, owned and operated by MFA Petroleum Co., installed the tires for the family. MFA Petroleum has locations in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to work alongside of the Cook family and wish them the best of luck during their road trip this summer,” said Charlie Alexander, Big O Tires Director of Operations for MFA Petroleum.
Big O Tires, a subsidiary of TBC Corp., has 464 company and franchisee-owned stores, primarily in the West and Midwest.
