Grateful children in the Unionport neighborhood of the Bronx walked away with smiles and a toy in honor of the late EMT Yadira Arroyo.

“She was my best friend,” Leida Acevedo-Rosado, mother of Yadira Arroyo, said.  

Arroyo died back in 2017 after trying to stop her ambulance from being stolen.

Since then, her family every year has partnered with the FDNY EMT and the NYPD’s 43rd Precinct to organize a toy giveaway for the community.  

Toys were supplied by the First Responders Children’s Foundation.

“We’re here today up in the Bronx to honor Yadira Arroyo’s memory with toys from Mattel, Spinmaster, Jazz Wears, Under Armour, Hess Truck,” said Jillian Crane, president and CEO of First Responders Children’s Foundation.

Lines of children filled into Blueprint Middle School’s gymnasium.

Some parents said the yearly event is a great help during the holiday season.

“Now is hard, everything is expensive but at least it’s happy for my kids. I see the little face happy. She was like happy to get at least one toy — it’s good for her,” said Silvia Fuentes, who’s attended the give away for the past three years.  

Arroyo’s family, some dressing the part, were also on hand.

The family said this is exactly what Arroyo would have wanted.

“It’s a way of remembering her not letting her legacy die, especially in times when we are still dealing with the court system, we haven’t gotten our justice yet,” said Ali Acevedo-Hernandez, aunt of Arroyo.

“For me it’s an honor. She liked to get with people, give back to homeless people. She was amazing,” Acevedo-Rosado added.

Arroyo’s brother, who is also an EMT, said the desire to serve others has always been what their family is about. 

“I think she would be very proud of this situation. She was the type of person that liked to give back and we want to give back to the community ourselves to represent her,” Joey Rosado said.