The Camacho family was filled with excitement as they awaited the turnout of their highly anticipated second annual "Christmas in the Park" car show and toy drive on that sunny Sunday at the T.W. Patterson Sports Complex. This event became a significant gathering for the community, with classic cars from various car clubs across the Central Valley and Bay area on display. It was a time when people came together to donate toys in memory of their beloved son, Roberto, who had been treated at Valley Children’s Medical Group.

Honoring Roberto's Memory through Christmas Cheer and Giving

Section 1: The Story Behind the Event

Amy Lara Camacho, Roberto's mother, shared a poignant story. When Roberto was fighting cancer at the hospital for nearly two years, he constantly expressed his desire to deliver toys once he got better. This dream became a source of motivation for her even after his passing last year. Roberto was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor in April 2021, at the tender age of five. He fought bravely for a year and 10 months, undergoing multiple trials of chemotherapy and surgery. Despite their best efforts, the tumor continued to grow, and in December 2022, he was placed on hospice.It was a heartbreaking time for the family, yet Roberto always maintained his smile and laughter. They never made him feel sick or aware of his condition. The family had unwavering faith that he would recover and they would experience a miracle. The doctors had predicted he wouldn't make it to Christmas, but he defied the odds and celebrated his 7th birthday in January 2023. However, by the end of February, his pain returned, and his body began to fail. Roberto passed away on March 1, 2023.

Section 2: The Impact of the Toy Drive

Camacho mentioned that starting the nonprofit "Roberto's Smile" immediately after his passing helped her in the grieving process and gave her a sense of purpose. It became her way of doing something in Roberto's memory. Last year, through the toy drive, they were able to donate 400 toys to children at Valley Children’s Medical Group. This year, she believes they collected an even greater number of toys. The donated items were raffled off, and the Camacho family was able to purchase gas cards and Starbucks gift cards for those in the Oncology Unit at the hospital. With 50 rooms in the unit, they wanted to give each family a special gift.Camacho deeply understood the hardships that cancer patients and their families faced. She said, "I know what the cancer kids are going through, I know what the families are going through. What they’re going through is the most horrible, difficult thing you could ever go through." Their goal was to bring a smile to the faces of these families, and this toy drive was their way of giving back in Roberto's memory.

Section 3: Continuing the Tradition

For those who were unable to attend Sunday's event, Camacho informed that they still have four drop-off locations for the toy drive. However, today is the last day for accepting new unwrapped toy donations. The toys will be delivered to the children at Valley Children’s on Dec. 11. To stay updated on more information, one can follow @RobertosSmile on Instagram. This event has become an annual tradition that not only honors Roberto's memory but also brings the community together in a meaningful way.