AURORA, Colo. -- In this season of giving, it’s always nice to see others in our community stepping up.
In the case of Strasburg eighth-grader Daniel Alvarado and his family, their selflessness is inspiring.
Daniel lost his older brother, Diego, on Saturday after Diego’s long battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL.
“A hero,” Daniel said describing his brother. “A role model.”
When Diego was diagnosed in 2010, Daniel started a Christmas toy drive for the kids at Children’s Hospital in Aurora.
This year, the toys were scheduled to be delivered Monday. And Daniel and his family delivered -- just two days after Diego’s death.
“He still stepped up and said, ‘No, we have to deliver them. That’s what Diego would want,’” said Ivan Alvarado of Daniel’s determination to follow through with this year’s drive.
On Friday, before Diego’s death – the Alvarado’s had collected 700 toys. By Monday, they had 1,600.
The U-Haul truck arrived at Children’s with an entourage of support from the Strasburg community.
“Just to be here for him,” said one of Daniel’s basketball teammates.
The toys were wheeled in and temporarily placed under the Christmas tree in the main lobby at Children's.
They'll be sanitized and distributed to all the kids.
Daniel says he plans to keep the tradition alive next year.
“Yes. For Diego,” he said.
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