OKEECHOBEE – Working quietly behind the scenes, an Okeechobee woman has been helping the children in her community for years.

Kizzy Smith, with help from her partner Marcus Martin, hosts an annual Back-to-School event and a Christmas toy give away. Often using their own money to finance the ventures, the duo works tirelessly to make sure these children have the things they need to succeed.

Though you would never know it to look at her, Smith is a grandmother to seven boys and one girl. Her granddaughter was recently seriously injured when she was attacked by a relative’s dog. After surgery, she is doing well,  but can still use your prayers said Smith.

Smith grew up in Okeechobee, graduated from Okeechobee High School, attended Indian River Community College and then moved to Chicago with her (then) husband. He was in the Navy, and they moved around quite a bit for the next eight years before finally returning to Okeechobee.

Because she has a heart for helping children, Smith started a nonprofit called Forward Bound Youth Services in 2008, but due to life circumstances, she put it on the back burner until she was able to fully focus on it.

In 2021, Santa did not come through the Douglas Brown community on the fire truck, so Smith and Martin began discussing ways they might be able to help. They began gathering toys, and Martin dressed up like Santa. “I think that’s his thing now. He likes doing that,” said Smith. After passing toys out at the community center, they loaded the leftovers on the back of a truck and drove around the community passing them out to any children they saw. “This will be our fourth year doing that,” said Smith. “We call it Toys for Joys.”

Remembering the fun they had at Teen Town when they were young, the couple started hosting teen dances at the Douglas Brown community center. “Teen Town was not very big, but everybody went there,” said Smith. “Teen Town was the place to be. We tried to implement some of that stuff here.”

Though she works in retail now, Smith has many years of experience in the childcare/youth field. While working at a youth program in Fort Gordon, Ga., she fell in love with the facility and dreams of opening one just like it in Okeechobee. This was her inspiration for starting Forward Bound.

Unfortunately, her marriage did not work out, and she found herself a single mother with three sons. She had to put the nonprofit on the back burner temporarily.

The toy drive in 2021 was the kickstart she needed to get things up and running, and she has not slowed down since. At first, they purchased all the toys themselves, partnering with Martin’s parents. They own a business called John Henry Cleaning Services. “I don’t mind,” said Smith. “I just want the kids to have what they need. It takes a village.”

Last year, they had a scare. There were so many children that they were afraid they would run out of toys. “We don’t worry about whether they can or cannot afford to buy their own gifts. This is us giving back to the community.” They do have a rule that the child must be present. The event is for the children, not the parents. In some situations, when they know this is probably the only Christmas a child will have, they allow that child to choose more gifts.

In 2022, the couple decided they wanted to add more, and this was the start of the back-to-school events. At first, they posted on Facebook letting parents know that they were willing to help if they needed school supplies.  This year, they decided to make a big back-to-school event and invite all the kids in the neighborhood. They will get backpacks, lunch boxes, water bottles, school supplies and will even get their hair cut and/or styled. They have barbers and people who can braid hair lined up to do this but can definitely use more volunteers if you are interested in helping. It will take place on Saturday, August 9 at the Douglas Brown Community Center. The health department will be there to do health screenings and will have Buddy’s Home Furnishing at the event to provide drinks. There will be a free concession stand. Publix and Winn Dixie helped supply the groceries for the concession stand. ARS Motorsports purchased and donated 100 backpacks.

One of the ways Smith raised funds was by starting a marketplace in front of Tractor Supply. Unfortunately, the event has been cancelled due to a misunderstanding. The vendors kept the money they made, but Smith donated everything she made to Forward Bound. On a good day, she said that it could be up to $500, so cancelling the marketplace is a really big deal. Smith is currently looking for another place to hold the market.

In September, they are holding a fundraiser banquet with a soft auction to help with the Christmas event.

If you would like to help in any way, you can contact Smith through Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/kizzy.p.smith