Furniture donations help residents facing hardships

Elizabeth Dutton

Monday, Dec. 22, 1997 | 10:44 a.m.

Andrew Smith got an early Christmas present Friday, courtesy of Walker Furniture.

"It all looks so nice, I can't even talk now," said Smith as he watched delivery men bring a new sofa through his front door.

As part of their fourth annual "Home for the Holidays" program, Walker Furniture is giving away a houseful of furniture to 15 needy families in the Clark County area.

In order to qualify, an essay had to be submitted which detailed the hardship each family faces. Out of the more than 3,000 letters received, only 15 could be chosen.

Jana Sutter, a physical therapist, sent a letter on behalf of Smith describing his heroism and subsequent hardship. Smith was unaware that Sutter had written the letter.

Monday marks the six-year anniversary of an event that changed Smith's life forever. A robbery occurred while he was working as a security guard at a North Las Vegas nightclub. Smith took a bullet in the back of the head while shielding three female patrons from gunfire.

Smith must use a wheelchair to get around due to the bullet and multiple skull fragments still in his head. Three of his seven children live with him, helping to expedite an already miraculous recovery process. Recently, Smith walked 600 feet with Sutter's assistance, an event doctors said would never happen.

Through difficult times, Smith has managed to keep a solid spirit. He volunteers his time helping troubled youth and speaking out against gang violence. Smith also works as a peer counselor at the Nevada Community Enrichment Program. Ultimately, he would like to become a juvenile probation officer.

"I try to talk to all the kids," Smith said in his tearful thank you. "I'm just glad to be here this year."

Sutter requested that a reclining chair be among the furniture delivered so that Smith may watch televised football games in comfort.

"He's a die-hard 49ers fan," Sutter said.

Sutter felt moved to help her friend and patient, a man she says is a positive role model.

"This guy is the most dynamic person I've ever worked with," she said.

Other recipients of this year's "Home for the Holidays" giveaway include the family of a meningitis-stricken child, single-parent households, the family of a young rape victim, many families who have lost their homes to fires, senior citizens raising their grandchildren, the family of a local murder victim, and two burn victims.

The letters were reviewed by an independent panel made up of political leaders like Gov. Bob Miller and Mayor Jan Laverty Jones, as well as representatives of local business, media and charity groups.