Adoption family donates to Catholic Charities in gratitude for son’s adoption
The Smith family made a significant donation to Catholic Charities Adoption Services in Orlando, as reported on April 30, in appreciation for the support they received sixty years ago when adopting their son.
This gesture comes as the family reflects on how adoption changed their lives. The Smiths had tried for seven years to have a child before turning to adoption. Within months, they welcomed their son at just 29 days old. “It was just a really good thing to bring him home,” Lisa Smith said.
Smith described her son as energetic and adventurous from an early age, recalling busy days keeping up with him and his curiosity about the outdoors. Their household grew busier with the arrival of two daughters within two years, and Smith shared that her son immediately took on a protective role with his sisters. She also recounted moments of humor, such as finding food hidden in unexpected places like the mailbox.
As their adopted son turned sixty during the holidays, the couple decided it was time to give back in recognition of what they called “the gift of life.” They made a large donation because when they adopted him decades ago, resources were scarce for them. “It gives a home and it’s a gift,” Smith said about adoption. “It’s a gift of life to a family and to a child.”
Smith emphasized how adoption has shaped their family’s values: “(Adoption) made us thankful for life and for the life that a child brings, you know, the joy and the innocence. And just more and more realization about the importance of life and how we need to really guard it… We are responsible for how things are going.” She hopes sharing their story will inspire others: “We have a responsibility to reach out where we can and see what we can do to make things better.”
The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and is home to 79 parishes, 11 missions, two basilicas, and 43 Catholic schools; it is currently led by Bishop James Noonan. The diocese includes Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties according to the Diocese of Orlando.
