Meet Your Neighbor: The Smitherman Family
If you want to see what it means to have a servant heart, look no further than the Smithermans.
Amanda Smitherman is originally from New Orleans, but her husband, Darek is an Alabaster native. The two now live in Helena with their three kids and Amanda’s mom, Ms. Shelly.
When she isn’t at her day job, Amanda is the director of the Helena Belles and a marketing manager for the local farmers market, Helena Market Days. She also teaches Sunday school at First Baptist Church Pelham when she can.
Darek and Amanda’s eldest daughter, Anjali, is a 16-year-old superstar. You can find her cheering on the side lines at Helena High School games, twirling in her Helena Belle’s gown at charity events or attending city council meetings as a member of the Helena Teen Council.
At 13 years old, Aviana participates at many events at Helena Middle School and is a member of American Heritage Girls, a faith-based scout organization. During the summer, she spends free Saturdays volunteering at Helena Market Days with her mom.
And while many may believe that an 8-year-old is too young to make an impact on his community, Dominick is here to prove them wrong. Dominick’s charity of choice is Vineyard Family Services, a faith-based family resource center.
“He really enjoys helping with their program called backpack buddies because they help school-age kids just like him,” Amanda said. “I do think Mr. Larry, the magician, being there does help.”
When they’re not volunteering in the community, the Smitherman family enjoys gathering around their kitchen table to share good food and stories from their day. And no family dinner in the Smitherman household is complete without a family movie night or game night.
“I love that everyone who lives here really does love where they live,” Amanda said. “I love where I live—that is why I volunteer and I love every minute of it!”