Ray & Lena Smith
In today’s society, an ever-increasing number of grandparents find themselves taking on the mantle of parenthood once more, stepping in to raise their grandchildren. This shift is less a choice and more a calling, driven by pressing societal and economic factors that pull at the very fabric of family life. From substance abuse to incarceration, and from illness to abandonment, the reasons necessitating this change are as complex as they are heart-wrenching. These grandparents are faced with challenges such as delaying retirement, navigating school systems, bridging the generational gap, finding mental health resources, and working through the court systems. These are issues that Ray and Lena Smith know all too well. Ray and Lena Smith of Prosper, Texas have been recognized as Prosper’s premier power couple. Ray, the Market President of Farmers Bank & Trust and a servent leader in their home Town of Prosper, TX. Ray has served the Town of Prosper as the Mayor for 12 years, Councilman for 3 years, EDC Board of Directors for 20 years, Collin College Foundation Board for 15 years, and North Central Texas Council of Goverment for 12 years. Lena, a successful North Texas Real Estate Specialist, also has a servents heart, serving with serveral non-profit organizations and the Founder of the Prosper Ladies Association, a thriving non-profit serving the residents and partnering with other local non-profits. The two are a couple who believes nothing is impossible. With success at their fingertips, life took a turn they never expected. When they learned that CPS was involved in their oldest grandson’s life, they quickly stepped in and adopted him. Bringing their grandson into their home changed everything and this is where their journey began.
Three years later they welcomed their second grandson. They realized their plans for their life, were not exactly what God had in store for them and set about becoming parents all over again. Ray and Lena quickly embraced this new season of life and vowed to honor what God had blessed them with. After much research, Ray and Lena were shocked and troubled by the obstacles that other families in similar situations were facing. Shortly thereafter, a close friend of the Smiths had the most wonderful idea of starting a non-profit organization to assist grandparents who were struggling in the day-to-day raising of their own grandchildren because most were on fixed incomes. Their hearts were aligned and together they founded Grand Love of Texas.
Since 2019 Grand Love has helped grandparents all over the state of Texas, providing food, utility assistance, holiday assistance, and much more. Grand Summer is a program that helps assist with sending grandchildren to camps. Grand Scholarships provide assistance to send grandchildren to college. These are just a few of the many programs Grand Love offers.
