What can I say about the McDonald family that YOU do not already know. If you know them as I do, we are blessed. In the past several years this family has endured more than most and have SURVIVED. If you are one of the blessed ones you know what I am referring to, however, if you do not know let me tell you. But to get there I will start at the beginning. John and Amy McDonald met in high school, in a little town in South Carolina called Pelion. They married right out of high school on September 23, 2000. Addison was the first to come along, a beautiful daughter that would melt hearts along the way, Kaden aka "Bubba" was next, a son that would eventually grow to be the kind of boy that was the epitome of a country boy. Their family was complete, or so they thought. God had other plans, years later after beauty pageants for Addison, where she won all of them and after hunting and fishing and playing in the mud for Bubba, life happened as it always does and Amy and John received a call, one of her sisters needed help with her 2 children, without hesitation this family took temporary custody of these children. Under their care, they thrived and her sister was able to eventually get them back. Not long after dealing with that, Amy got another call. Her other younger sister now needed her help, in September of 2019 Jaxtyn was born and once again the McDonald family answered the call and assumed custody of Jax. Jax did not have an easy beginning to his life, he has gone through numerous surgeries, treatments, therapies and life-saving events. Fast forward to July 19, 2025. Bubba was horrifically injured in an ATV accident. He required brain surgery and months in the hospital, Amy only left his side to shower and change her clothes. Bubba was able to go home in September, but not without his own road to recovery but a "country boys can survive" and he did! Only 8 months after one tragedy the family was hit with another. The big strong man with a smile that lights up the room and a voice that you can hear a mile away, was struck by a vehicle while riding his motorcycle. He went through surgeries and weeks after when he was able to go home, he was not allowed to walk, he was in a wheelchair for a couple months. By July, he was up walking and was able to say goodbye to the wheelchair, not without the pain and discomfort, things that are his new normal. The summer goes by, school starts, September comes as does plans for birthdays, vow renewals and weddings. During the chaos of the past year and half, Addison welcomed her first child, a baby boy and got engaged. While planning her wedding, she found out she is expecting, a baby girl. Jax turned 7 this month, September, Amy and John will be celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary and Addison will be getting married on September 26th. This past Thursday, September 17th, Amy received yet another call, this time from her niece, Clarissa. Amy's younger sister, Jaxes birth mother had suddenly passed away. The McDonald family now faces a much different future then what they ever expected. Not only are the men in this family still healing and enduring therapy sessions and countless doctor appointments, but the family has also now taken on the responsibility of raising the 2 other children that were left behind as well as continuing to be parents to Jax. They have a very long road of healing and recovering, not just physically but emotionally and mentally. Prayers and love are needed but also support, in every sense of the word. They need our help. I am asking if you know this family, please find it in your hearts to donate what you are able to. Continue to pray but also help them by easing the burdens of an economical nightmare. If you know them, they would not hesitate to help you or me. They have endured more sorrow and tragedy than most and still continue to support the community. Amy leads the local town festival, the Pelion Peanut Party, she is a member of the Daughters of the Nile and Eastern Star, she works and still manages to volunteer for Jamil Shrine Center and John is a dedicated Mason and is a current member of the Leadership staff at Jamil Shrine Center. God Bless you and God Bless this family.

Text FAMILY to 206-672-7222 to donate!