FreshMinistries and community helping a Jacksonville family in need

The Smith family visit Randy Smith in his intensive care unit in January 2007. Randy’s wife, Christina, (kneeling), mother of 5, has been forced to take over the family tree and lawn service business.

As so often happens, a heart-wrenching story moves people to act. Joe Adeeb, owner of Bono’s Barbecue Restaurants, St. Luke’s Chaplain Peter Bouras, Ann Coppedge, manager of TRIO (Transplant Recipients Organization International) of Northeast Florida, and countless other Ponte Vedra Beach residents were so moved by the Smith family’s saga they contacted FreshMinistries seeking ways to help this hard working family in need.

Randy Smith, 41, had a massive heart attack on Christmas Day 2006 and is awaiting a heart transplant, but the story began when he had his first heart attack six years ago. Then Smith’s company, Smith and Sons Tree and Lawn Service, had just gotten a contract from Adeeb to supply wood for all the Bono’s restaurants. Smith’s wife, Christina, was the busy mother of five, the youngest eight months old, and the “Sons” in her husband’s company name were ages 14 and 5. In addition to their own 5 children, the Smiths care for 6 foster children.

Christina Smith had never climbed a tree in her life, but she was determined to save her husband’s business. 6 years ago, following Randy Smith’s quadruple bypass surgery, he stood at the foot of a tall tree near their Mayport mobile home and taught his wife the intricacies of tree climbing. Over the past six years, while her disabled husband ran the business from home, Christina has earned the nickname, “The Tree Monkey” and with the help of her son, Davie (now 20), has literally saved the family business.”Christina Smith is a saint in my book,” said Reno, whose company, May Management Services Inc., is a customer of the tree service. “That little rascal can climb a tall tree in a heart-beat!”

Now, with Randy Smith’s second heart attack, the Smith family needs financial help to help cover medical bills as Randy awaits a new heart. Coppedge, Adeeb and Charles Callahan of the Callahan Agency are coordinating fundraising efforts. FreshMinistries has stepped forward to bring the Smiths under its corporation’s nonprofit status.

• “One hundred percent of all donations will go to benefit the Randall Smith Family and will be acknowledged with a letter of thanks” said Shelly Marino of Ponte Vedra Beach, who is director of external relations for FreshMinistries (www.freshministries.org) . All donations are tax deductible and should be made payable to FreshMinistries—Randall Smith Family and addressed to FreshMinistries, 1131 North Laura St., Jacksonville, FL 32206.

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