Granger Smith and his wife Amber are honoring their late son by giving back to the hospital that cared for River before his death. On Tuesday they presented a check to Dell Children’s Medical Center for $218,791.
“This is just the beginning,” Granger said in the courtyard at the medical center, CBS Austin reported.
“Let this be a small token of the gratitude that we’ve got for you guys,” he continued, CBS Austin reported.
Amber also praised the hospital and staff for the impact they had on their family. “I pray that nobody else ever has to go through what we’ve gone through, but if they do, I hope they come here because y’all were incredible.”
During the presentation, Granger and Amber wore red River tribute t-shirts. The shirts were sold online as a part of a fundraiser Granger and his team launched to donate funds to Dell.
“This shirt has a Yee Yee Excavator on it (Riv’s favorite thing to do was watch excavators scoop up dirt) and is red – Riv’s favorite color,” the description reads.
Just last week, Granger and Amber revealed over $100,000 had been raised. The shirts have long been Sold Out, but for those fans that still want to get one a new version will be out later this Fall.
The Smith’s also explained in a YouTube video last week why they “made the decision to say our last goodbyes and donate his organs so that other children will be given a second chance at life.”
The presentation of the check came two days after Granger stepped back on to the stage for the first time since the accident at Country LakeShake in Chicago. During the performance he showcased a new “River” tattoo on his right forearm and mouthed the words “Thank you” during every song break.