$125,000 To Be Raised For
Heather Smith Daycare Room

The Four Seasons YMCA Day Care Room will be named the Heather Marie Smith Daycare Room. This decision was made in a unanimous vote by the Four Seasons YMCA Board of Directors and is the first memorial-based fundraising project the Four Seasons YMCA has conducted throughout the five year capital campaign. Heather Smith, who died in 2005 following injuries sustained in a car accident, was recognized in Tazewell and surrounding communities as having both a strong compassion for fitness and most importantly for children. Mary Thompson, Assistant Director of Development for the Four Seasons YMCA said, “With upmost appropriateness, we are able to honor Heather through her love for children and fitness. Those are two resounding qualities she exemplified. Naming the daycare center after her is a perfect fit.”

In 2002, Smith graduated as an AIMS Scholar from Tazewell High school where she participated in numerous activities such as track, basketball, choir, and Young Life. In her senior year, she was crowned Miss THS. In her writings, Heather described her greatest gift as being blessed with an extraordinary compassion for others, particularly children. Smith exemplified this compassion on a day to day basis. She was attending Bluefield College and was a rising senior in the Teacher Education Program in English Education. She was a Sunday school and Children’s Church teacher at Tazewell Baptist and helped in the nursery. Smith was also the Wyldlife leader at Tazewell Middle School. She spoke to elementary classrooms about the dangers of drugs and alcohol and avoiding peer pressure. It was Heather’s dream to become a teacher, and she thought of herself as a role model to the children she encountered.

Heather with her Baby Sister, Anna Renee

The Four Seasons YMCA Board of Directors has valued the cost of the naming opportunity at $125,000. Heather’s parents, Donald and Sharon Smith of Tazewell, have given their approval and endorsement of the memorial. Dr. Chris Brown, Chairman of the Four Seasons Board of Directors said, “I had the opportunity to get to know Heather as a patient in my office while she was running track. She lit up a room when she entered it and she was a delightful person. I know Heather was an asset to the young people in our community and I can't think of a better way to memorialize her than name the daycare room in her memory. Heather was a very special person and is missed by many of us. This will help to continue her memory into the future.”

Donations are now being accepted to help achieve this goal. There are two ways a person may participate in this memorial: A one-time gift or pledge of up to 5 years. For example, a 5 year pledge of $2,500 is only $500 a year, a 5 year pledge of $1000 is $200 a year, and a 5 year pledge of $500 is just $100 a year. In addition to cash gifts, gifts of stock and real estate will be accepted.

Donations in Heather’s name may be mailed to:

Four Seasons YMCA
P.O. Box 625
Tazewell, Virginia 24651

For additional information please call (276) 988-8950.

Commitment and Donation Form