Every month, SNAP receives a donation from Michael and Sandy Smith of  Seattle in memory of their son, David Michael Smith.

 

David's picture is displayed in SNAP's Administration building conference room. The picture was presented to SNAP Executive Director Larry Stuckart in April 2007.

 

David Michael Smith had challenges with schizophrenia. Despite hearing voices on a regular basis, he was extremely intelligent and had a soft spot in his heart for people in need. He often gave his money to homeless people on the street.

 

When the family lived in Spokane, David learned about SNAP and the services SNAP provides to those in need.

 

Here is an obituary of David Michael Smith provided by his parents:

 

David Michael Smith was born December 30, 1979 in Spokane, Washington. He was the son of Michael and Sandra Smith, and brother to Jennifer, Alicia and Matthew. David attended Rogers High School in Spokane, and after moving to Seattle in 1999, attended Seattle Central Community College and was on the Dean's list for his scholastic accomplishments in Computer Programming.

 

David had many interests, some of which included playing chess, writing short stories and poems, music of all kinds and creating and designing web pages. He also enjoyed many sports such as football, basketball and tennis.

 

David was a very intelligent, kind and compassionate person, who had a great sense of humor and cared deeply for others. In the year 2000 David was diagnosed with a serious brain disorder (Schizophrenia) and he struggled to cope with his illness and maintain as normal a life as possible.

 

Even with the problems he faced, he rarely complained and always tried to help others less fortunate, such as people facing homelessness and those with physical and mental illnesses.

 

David died on March 31, 2006 at the age of 26. He was a wonderful person who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

 

Mike and Sandy Smith