LISBON — When the Lisbon Rumble Car Show returns to rev up the streets of the village again on Saturday, the focus will be on the classic cars, bikes and vans that will be on display at Youngstown Cycle and Speed and JMullen Motors, but the true purpose of the event runs deeper than engines run loud.

All proceeds will benefit Jacob’s Heart – a charity that provides toys and books to Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

The Lisbon-based charity was founded by Nicole and Chris Eells to honor the short life of their son Jacob.

“Jacob was born on April 17, 1995, and passed away on June 30, 1995. He was born with a major heart defect called Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome which basically means the left side of his heart did not form,” Nicole explained.

Almost immediately, Jacob underwent a procedure to reconstruct the heart and reroute blood flow, allowing his single functioning ventricle to pump blood to both his body and lungs.

“He was born at 7:58 p.m. in Youngstown, and by 4:30 a.m. the next morning, he was in Columbus at Children’s Hospital,” Nicole said. “He had an open-heart surgery when he was three-days old, the Norwood Procedure. He did great.”

Four weeks later, Jacob came home with medication that he took daily and a good prognosis. But good turned to bad and then suddenly bad turned to the unthinkable.

“We thought all was going well. He had an appointment with his cardiologist on June 29, but they called to move it to June 30,” Nicole continued. “My mom and I were on the way to his appointment in Columbus, and he passed away in the car and life has never been the same. No one should feel the pain of losing a child.”

Jacob would have turned 30 this year and the grief of losing him still weighs heavy on his family, but Nicole has found a way to both remember her baby boy and make the burden of his loss a little less cumbersome — enter the charity established in her son’s name.

“Jacob’s Heart came to be as a way of honoring Jacob and keeping his memory alive,” she said. “I began working at Akron Children’s Hospital almost nine years ago and noticed that the hospital gave toys and things to the kids who were inpatients or who were there having surgery, testing, in the ER, or having lab work done.”

Nicole decided to honor Jacob by helping supply those things. Jacob’s Heart comforts pediatric patients with the gift of a book or a toy to make their hospital visits a little less scary, and that comforts Nicole’s heart and the hearts of others who loved Jacob.

“I just felt like I needed to help,” she said. “I talked to my family about it, and they all wanted to help as well … Jacob’s Heart only works because of the support of our family, friends, and community.”

The charity started simply enough but with Nicole’s determination and the support she mentioned, Jacob’s Heart has evolved.

“Our first donation was small, just a table full of things. That was eight years ago,” she said. “Now Jacob’s Heart has grown into an organization that not only donates to Akron Children’s Hospital but also helps area kids who are in need. We just like to see kids smile and be happy, even if it is only for a short time.”

Jacob’s Heart was the recipient of last year’s inaugural Lisbon Rumble. This year, the event chose to donate to the charity again, making the day about cars and giving back to a village family that has done great things in memory of their son.

The classic car, bike and van show will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at 124 S. Market St. in Lisbon and will also feature live pin-striping, live music provided by David Loy & The Ramrods, a pin-up contest hosted by Atomic Red Hots and food provided by Smokey’s Patty Wagon and R&S Concessions. A Chinese auction and gun raffle will also be held. Custom trophies will be awarded to Best Car, Best Truck, Best Bike, Best Jeep and Best Van. Registration for vehicles is $5. Registration and vendor table fees will be accepted in person at the event.