Rick and Tanya Smith are a couple of grandparents (Papa and Nana) who, since May of 2018, suddenly went from being regular grandparents to full-time caretakers of their five, loving grandchildren, ranging from 4-year-old twins with special needs to teenagers with the usual teenage stuff going on. These new additions to the Smith household include a boy, Perris, age 16; and four girls: Persiah, age 14, Prailyn, age 11, and 4-year-old twins Dallas and Dakota. Dallas has Down syndrome. Rick and Tanya’s adult daughter is unable to take care of her children right now, but rather than let them be put into foster homes, Papa and Nana have stepped up and taken temporary custody, with the hope that the children can eventually be reunited with their mother.

Rick runs a home repair business and Tanya is an executive assistant; however, they were not prepared for the added financial burden that supporting such an enlarged family would entail. These five kids have a lot of needs, not least of which is just getting them transported back and forth from school, doctor’s appointments, and special needs programs. The Smiths need a larger, dependable vehicle, to transport the kids to all the places they need to go. Of course, there are plenty of other expenses—food, clothes, and bedding for five kids—but for now, the goal is to buy a van. 

All gifts of any size are greatly needed and deeply appreciated.