Family donates thousands of toys in late son's honor

LINCOLN - A Lincoln family is honoring their son's memory by continuing to celebrate his birthday, and sharing the joy with others.

Josh Brestel died just twelve days before his fifth birthday. He was diagnosed with Wilm's Tumor, a cancer that affects the kidneys.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, the Brestel's continue to have birthday parties for Josh.

For fifteen years, the family has had a toy drive for Josh's birthday.

Once all the toys have been collected, the Brestel family takes them to both CHI Health Saint Elizabeth in Lincoln and Children's Hospital in Omaha.

This year, they collected almost 1,100 toys.

Over the 15 years, the family estimates they have donated over 11,000 toys and 10,000 gift cards.