A Texas family has received an outpouring of support after nearly all the toy cars from their free Hot Wheels library in Laredo were taken over the weekend.
What began as a painful discovery quickly turned into a heartwarming show of kindness, as families, local businesses, collectors and car clubs donated hundreds of toy cars to help bring the special place back to life.
The library, known as Tonito’s Hot Wheels, was created to honor the memory of 10-year-old Jose Antonio Campos III, lovingly called Tonito. According to KGNS News, he died in December 2024 after a sudden and aggressive battle with leukemia.
The family said the toy car collection was full on Friday night. However, when they checked the library on Saturday morning, only a handful of cars remained.
They also shared surveillance footage online that they said showed someone taking the cars at around 6 a.m. Saturday.
The incident left Tonito’s family heartbroken, especially because the library was built to bring happiness to children in the neighborhood.
“It was very sad at first. We were sad. And then that sadness became anger because we’re like, how can you do this to the kids?” said Melissa Escobedo, Tonito’s aunt.
Tonito’s mother, Gina Campos, also shared how painful it was to see the nearly empty display.
“So seeing that, it really, really hurt. It really hurt because that’s like if you’re messing with my son, if you’re messing with my son,” Campos said.
Despite the upsetting incident, the family soon witnessed something they did not expect. Their Facebook post reached members of the community, and donations started arriving just about an hour after they shared what happened.
Families, local businesses, toy collectors and car clubs quickly stepped forward to help restock Tonito’s Hot Wheels library.
Some parents even brought their children to donate toy cars. For some of these families, it was their first time visiting the special library.
The donations helped turn a sad situation into a chance for more children to experience the kindness that Tonito’s family wanted to share.
Escobedo said the library was created to give children happiness while teaching them the importance of sharing with others.
“Because we did it to bring happiness, smiles to kids. It’s doing that. Plus, it’s teaching them a lesson in generosity, which is what Tonito, his essence was,” Escobedo said.
She also had a message for the person who took the toy cars. Instead of keeping them, she hoped the cars would still find their way to children who could enjoy them.
“So, we just want them, if you have the Hot Wheels, give them to kids. Make a kid happy. Make a kid happy. Make a kid smile,” she said.
The free toy car library began as a small project outside the Campos family home in West Laredo, Texas. It follows a simple rule that children can easily understand: Leave a car, take a car.
Visitors can bring a die-cast toy car and exchange it for another one. This allows children to enjoy different cars while making sure other kids also have a chance to take one home.
The library is located near the corner of Eagle Pass Avenue and Ugarte Street, outside the family’s home at 4002 Eagle Pass Avenue. The family described it as Laredo’s first die-cast car library and the second of its kind in Texas.
Tonito loved Hot Wheels when he was alive. His mother once recalled how he would get excited whenever they went to a store.
“He loved Hot Wheels. That was his thing. He would run to the store whenever we entered. ‘Where’s the Hot Wheels, Mom? I need to go.’ And I was like, ‘Okay, baby, let’s go.’ And that’s what he loved doing,” Tonito’s mother, Gina Campos, told KGNS News in October.
Tonito was a fifth-grade student at Farias Elementary. Aside from collecting toy cars, he enjoyed playing football, participating in mariachi, fishing and spending time outdoors.
His family wanted to turn their grief into something that could bring joy to other children. What started with a small handmade box eventually grew into a bigger community project. A local car club helped build a larger display, while collectors from places as far away as Live Oak also sent donations.
Neighbors have also supported the library by leaving stickers, bubbles and treats for children who visit.
Even after the loss of so many toy cars, the family continues to welcome visitors and donations. The library remains free and open to anyone willing to trade a car and help keep the shelves stocked.
What happened to Tonito’s Hot Wheels library may have taken away much of its collection, but the community’s response has helped the family continue the project they started in his memory.
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