'I've been blessed'

America embraces Columbia Falls couple who adopted their great-grandchildren

Columbia Falls residents Virginia and Charlie Crawford touched hearts across the nation when they recently adopted their five great-grandchildren.

After The Associated Press picked up the article published in the Daily Inter Lake, the couple received phone calls and a flood of letters from Maine to Washington, as well as gifts from area organizations and businesses.

"We were even on 'Paul Harvey,'" Virginia Crawford, 71, said. "The response was a lot bigger than I expected."

Speaking by telephone Tuesday, Crawford thumbed through a pile of letters as she supervised Phillip, 3, twins Renee and Jenee, 6, Taressa, 7, and Sarathia, 8, all home for spring break.

In cards and letters, people expressed how grateful they were that she and Charlie were willing raise their granddaughter's five children. Crawford said some of the letter-writers asked for a list of things she needed.

"We're just a family," she said. "I didn't know of anything in particular we needed."

Crawford said she and Charlie were lucky to have no debt on their property and 1963 mobile home. Their cars, though old, have no liens attached.

Along with their good wishes and prayers, quite a few people sent unsolicited checks, ranging from $10 to $200.

If the sender didn't specify a use, Crawford deposited the check into a bank account for the children. She plans to keep that money as a reserve in case something happens to her or Charlie and someone else needs to take over raising the children.

One person sent $100 specifically to buy the youngsters something special for Easter. Crawford said she's looking to buy cowboy and cowgirl outfits for them to wear at a family portrait session, a gift from their caseworker.

"They've been asking for those [cowboy, girl outfits] for six months or more," she said with a laugh.

Phillip's father rounded up Easter bunnies for Phillip and his sisters. Unlike some adoptive parents, Crawford welcomes both her granddaughter and her ex-husband's involvement with her great-grandchildren as long as they keep their lives in order.

Area individuals and groups also helped make this Easter particularly special for the whole family.

Crawford said the owner of Wright's Furniture in Whitefish offered a bed or recliner for Charlie after reading about the senior citizens adopting the five young children.

"Frank, the boss, said he was 45, and he didn't think he could do that," she said. "He was very gracious."

The couple plan to go make a selection after spring break.

Area quilters also adopted the family.

"The Stillwater Church group called and asked if the kids could use quilts," she said. "They even brought me a quilt."

A Kalispell quilt group called and asked for the youngsters' favorite colors and said they would get back to Crawford.

The family's story also resulted in an appearance on a local television news show as well as an invitation to appear on Wendy Ostrom Price's radio show on KOFI-AM.

"It turned out really well; I really enjoyed it," she said. "I've just been blessed, blessed, blessed."

Her friends at the Flathead Food Bank are working on an application for the family for the TV reality show "Extreme Makeover." Crawford said a friend has offered to shoot the video needed to accompany the application. Crawford said a lot of things need to be fixed or finished in the mobile home and attached building.

Although the couple's home has some problems, Crawford said the children continue to thrive. All the girls love attending school at Ruder.

Taressa and Sarathia show exceptional ability, and their great-grandmother feels especially good about their progress in reading and math.

"They make 100s on everything," Crawford said. "The twins can't wait to get into the first [grade]."

The family has enjoyed the gifts, cards and many good wishes sent from strangers here and across the country. Crawford said she was heartened to hear from so many compassionate people.

She read from one letter in which a woman praised Crawford and her husband for having the courage and love to devote their senior years to these children. The writer said she posted their photo from the paper on the refrigerator and said a prayer for them each day.

It was a theme reflected in nearly every letter.

"I'm just grateful that so many people have got us in their prayers," Crawford said. "That's as good as gold."

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com