Police find missing trailer filled with toys for children with cancer in Sunrise

Sylvia Vanni, husband founded Mystic Force Foundation after son's death

NORTH MIAMI, Fla. ā€“ A trailer packed full of toys that was stolen early Monday from the front of a home in North Miami was found at a home in Sunrise.Ā 

Earlier in the day the trailer was reported missing by Sylvia Vanni the Ā co-founder of the Mystic Force Foundation.Ā 

Vanni has made it her mission to help children with cancer after her son, Salvatore, died of stage 4 neuroblastoma.Ā 

"He was 4 1/2 years old and he went through treatment for 3 1/2 years. He died one month shy of his eighth birthday," Vanni said.Ā 

Her son's death motivated her to co-found the Mystic Force Foundation with her husband.Ā 

"One hundred percent of our funds go to research. But we also try to help children throughout their treatment," Vanni said.Ā 

For Vanni, that means injecting a little bit of fun into young patients' lives.

"Whenever we can bring happiness to them, we do," Vanni said.Ā 

Vanni collects hundreds of toys for the children on a regular basis -- toys like the ones that made her son so happy.

But she was heartbroken Monday morning when she discovered that someone stole a trailer filled with toys from in front of her home in North Miami.

"Well, this morning my friend got here and said, 'Where's the trailer? Did you move it?' And I thought she was kidding, and I realized, no, the trailer is really gone," Vanni said. "I ran right over because I couldn't believe that somebody could drive into our guard-gated community, hook up a trailer and just drive out like it was nothing."

Vanni called North Miami police and posted fliers in the neighborhood and online.

"I want them to know that they're stealing from kids with cancer," Vanni said of the thieves.

By the end of the day the trailer was found in Sunrise.Ā 

Those looking to donate toys can find information at mysticforcefoundation.com.

Ā 


About the Author:

Liane Morejon is an Emmy-winning reporter who joined the Local 10 News family in January 2010. Born and raised in Coral Gables, Liane has a unique perspective on covering news in her own backyard.