Little Heroes Day

Hello Subaru of Valencia partnered with the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for a special event, Little Heroes’ Day. This exciting event gave 53 kids and their parents a day free from worry and the stresses of their daily lives. The event was held at MB2 Entertainment, providing exciting attractions, arcade games, and an opportunity for these brave young kids to simply be kids. The Michael Hoefflin Foundation is a non-profit organization supporting local pediatric cancer families. The foundation aims to ease families’ burdens during this challenging time and ensure that children can focus on their journey to recovery. They extend a helping hand to families and provide services including Counseling Support, Financial Assistance, Emergency Support, and more. Every year 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer. Recognizing that cancer is the leading cause of death by disease past infancy among children in the United States, they strive to provide hope, help, and healing to children and their families facing the battle against pediatric cancer. Michael Andrew Hoefflin was a warm and loving child born on January 10th, 1986. At the age of six, his life took an unexpected turn when flu-like symptoms revealed a diagnosis of PNET/medulloblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer. Despite undergoing extensive treatments, including brain surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and a bone marrow transplant, Michael’s resilient spirit prevailed during his 17 months of remission. Tragically, in May 1994, the cancer returned with unprecedented strength. Michael faced this relentless battle with courage, maintaining a positive attitude and a persistent smile. His determination to help others inspired the formation of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation in September 1995, which is dedicated to advancing treatments, supporting afflicted children and their families, and finding cures for childhood cancers. Michael’s passing on May 15th, 1996, left a void, but his legacy remains a source of inspiration for those touched by his remarkable story. Made possible by MB2 Entertainment, Little Heroes’ Day was filled with excitement, joy, and bonding for children and their families affected by cancer. The event featured go-cart racing, (with a track dedicated to Michael Hoefflin), laser tag, arcade games, and lunch, allowing families to create memories together. Hello Subaru of Valencia volunteers passed out custom designed Little Heroes’ Day shirts and capes, symbolizing the resilience and heroism of these children. Everyone involved could not help but feel immense gratitude for being a part of a company that cares so much. Hello Subaru had a special guest Kiki Sin from Subaru America, along with her husband, who volunteered at the Little Heroes’ Day event. Hello Subaru of Valencia is not just a dealership, it’s a community-driven place that thrives on giving back, especially to children. The decision to partner with the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Little Heroes’ Day was Hello Subaru commitment to making a positive impact in their community. It is their sincere belief that every child deserves a chance to experience the simple pleasures of being a kid, and this event allowed them to extend a helping hand in creating those lasting memories. Recognizing the importance of including siblings in the festivities, Hello Subaru of Valencia ensured that all family members felt seen and included. Siblings often feel left out due to the attention directed towards the child with cancer. This thoughtful approach added an extra layer of support for families facing the challenges of pediatric cancer. The impact of Little Heroes’ Day was profound, with numerous testimonials expressing gratitude for the worry-free day provided by Hello Subaru of Valencia. Antonette Sandoval, the mother of a young hero named Leo Lopez who has a rare form of cancer, shared her experience: “It’s nice we get to be here and have so much support behind us throughout Leo’s journey. It’s important to have some normalcy around and to come here and be with kids his age and feel normal.” Hello Subaru of Valencia’s partnership with the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Little Heroes’ Day shows the power of community and compassion. This event brought joy and normalcy to children facing pediatric cancer and showcased the positive impact it can have when everyone comes together for a common cause. Little Heroes’ Day will continue to give hope to families navigating the challenging pediatric cancer journey.