By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

Words were not needed for Aaron Smith to know what kind of impact his visit to the Children’s Home of Pittsburgh had on the kids there.

Instead it was something much more meaningful that made Smith realize that the time he spent with the kids was special.

“Some of them have some disabilities but their personalities are still so full of life,” said Smith of the kid’s reaction to him. “One boy talks completely with his eyes. His eyes light up. You can tell you are making some kind of impact on him.”

Smith, along with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, took part in the presentation of Half Pint Libraries, donated by Half Price Books. Half Pint Libraries help to provide an escape and to promote literacy and as a speech therapy tool for the children at the home, many who are medically fragile.

After the presentation Smith sat down and read “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” by Laura Joffee Numeroff, to a group of the kids.

“It is important as a player to give back to the community,” said Smith. “Being a father going out and giving back to children, especially children who have problems in life, just to give back to them is special. I just want to light up their day and make a difference.”

Smith, a father of four, appreciates the blessing of having a healthy family.  

“You just go home and appreciate what you do have,” said Smith. “Your heart goes out to those families that have to struggle through those days with their children. I can’t even imagine what the parents feel on a day to day basis.”

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About The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center

The Children's Home of Pittsburgh, established in 1893, is an independent, non-profit licensed organization that promotes the health and well-being of infants and children through services which establish and strengthen the family.  These programs include: Adoption -- serving infants, birthparents and persons seeking to adopt, Child’s Way^® -- a pediatric extended care center serving medically fragile infants and children, and a 28-bed Pediatric Specialty Hospital --  infant and pediatric units that provide short-term transitional care from hospital to home for those who are technology dependent and who may suffer from life threatening illnesses. For more information, please call 412-441-4884 or visit www.childrenshomepgh.org.