Family Raises Funds for Adoption

A Muskingum County family is hoping that a 2-year-old Russian child will experience the love of a family.

Lisa Smith along with her husband are trying to adopt a little girl named, Yana. It’s not the first time the Smith’s have adopted.

"We have two biological children and we’ve adopted three children from here in the United States. They’re little boys with down syndrome and autism that we adopted," said Lisa Smith.

Yana also has down syndrome but that’s not stopping the Smiths.

"I love my boys so very much and special needs in different countries don’t have the opportunities we have here," said Smith. "I know people in this country don’t have the easiest way too, but in Russia at the age of 4 they are places into an institution."

And once institutionalized children live an average of a year. To raise money to travel to Russia for their first visit the Smith’s are holding a yard sale at the St. Thomas Activity Center Friday until 5pm and Saturday from 9-until after 5pm Mass.