Bakersfield, MO. – On July 20, 2024, the Bakersfield School hosted a benefit auction and dinner to honor Harley and Alex Smith who lost their 1-year-old child, Kooper Smith, to an unexpected complication from an illness on May 23, 2024. The auction and dinner raised $51,704 for the parents.
In a Facebook post after the event, the Smith couple stated, ” I just want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything that everyone did. From organizing, getting donations, the baked goods, the bookkeepers, the auctioneers, taking the payments and keeping it so organized, the concession stand, the helpers running around (the littles and big), and Kristen and her mom with the Kooper T-shirts, and just every single person that took time out of their day that came out to support us in this tragic time. Thank you will never be enough! I just want everyone to know the gratitude for your blessings to our family. This community and the surrounding communities are beyond amazing. And I also know this could never be possible without God… knowing he has my little Kooper and is taking good care of him for us until we get to see him again is something that we will forever be thankful for. As much as I wish I could have my baby back in my arms, I know that is not possible, so we will continue to push forward and live our lives the best we know how. We will also continue to count our blessings because I know even in the midst of this terrible heartache, we are still so very blessed.”
Kooper Smith was described as an ornery, wild, carefree, sweet, and loving little boy. He loved being outdoors and going for rides on the four-wheeler and side-by-side. He especially loved picking on his brothers. Kooper was a busybody, who would rarely sit still. He was always getting into something but always knew how to smooth it over by laying his head right in the middle of your chest. He was very smart and a quick learner. He was independent, adventurous, and loved to explore.
Bakersfield School has held other benefits for community members, including a June 22 benefit for Whiney Grayham, who was diagnosed with cancer. They raised more than $75,000.
