All things are possible help Dion on his road to recovery

Hi, my name is Dion Smith, a father of five ages ranging from 34 to 16, a grandfather of two, and most importantly, a lifelong volunteer to many organizations. At this moment in my life, I am fighting for my very existence as I am fighting end-stage CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) and in the process of being evaluated to get either a heart transplant or an LVAD. I desperately need the support of family, friends, the community, and all of the organizations I have served throughout the years to help me raise 1.5 million dollars, which will be used to help me and others like me in similar circumstances. This money will be used to help pay current bills, secure the necessary aftercare resources to allow me to complete my post-surgery treatment, and provide money to cover the necessary insurance payments after the surgery.

From an early age, I was taught the importance of volunteering and giving back to your community. As a child, I was taken to volunteer with my mother at the Girl Scouts of America in our hometown of Flatbush, Brooklyn, as my mother was a troop leader for 20 years. Whether it was passing out water to the runners of the NYC Marathon or just helping to arrange her meeting space, week in and week out, I was there most of the 20 years helping to give back.

As I entered my adult years, I returned to my passion for giving back while working at Pfizer Inc. by participating in several partnerships with Habitat for Humanity, where we helped to build or rehabilitate several homes. My passion for helping people attain housing and rehabilitating homes continued once I arrived in Kissimmee, FL. It was here that I not only joined the local Habitat for Humanity chapter but also became a board member. I worked on and spearheaded several projects while as a board member. I worked with several youth groups and church organizations like First Baptist of Poinciana, where we had the youth of the organization rehabilitate several of their elderly members' homes. While working with these organizations, I became a member of the world’s largest fraternal organization, the Free and Accepted Masons of Florida, specifically joining Orange Blossom Lodge in 2014 and earning the Degree of Master Mason in October of 2014. It was here where, through our training and various volunteer work, I not only honed my skills as a young man, ultimately teaching me the value of finding balance in life, but also learning the importance of serving your fellow man through various community initiatives and activities. My very last volunteer initiative came while serving in the media ministry at Parkview Christian Life Center under the amazing leadership of Pastor Henry Babers. This man of God has an amazing anointing and vision. After this point in life, unfortunately, my battle with CHF took a more serious turn for the worse, and the breakdown of my heart function began.

So now I’m asking you, friends, family, community, and organizations to join our initiative to give one (donate one dollar towards this mission and to share this message with just one person who you think will help to support this mission). Please remember this is not only to help secure my post-surgical needs but also to help other individuals in the same situation. Thank you in advance, and please remember: give one, share one.

With Love and Thanks,

Dion Louis Smith