Everyday Heroes: Deputy Jay Estrada and Custody Specialist Aleyda Garcia

Two members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department are dedicated to making a big impact for children battling cancer with their Heroes for Hope campaign, designed to gather toys for the Pediatric Oncology Unit at Kaiser Permanente-Fontana Medical Center.

Sheriff’s Deputy Jay Estrada and Sheriff’s Custody Specialist Aleyda Garcia organized a special toy drive to benefit inpatient and outpatient pediatric oncology patients. Estrada and Garcia coordinated with Kaiser Permanente-Fontana to adopt and remodel the Pediatric Oncology Infusion Outpatient Clinic and the inpatient playroom.

“These kids are fighters. They are bravely battling to regain their health,” Estrada said. “We just want to give them a room where they can play and have fun to help get their minds off their treatments.”

Along with community members who donated toys, Estrada and Garcia have also gathered the support of their respective employee unions; the Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) and Teamsters Local 1932 to help pay for the makeover, as well as Arrowhead Credit Union and Ozel Fine Jewelry.

The event took place December 12, 2019. This is their story.