BUTLER TWP — The Davison family is no stranger to fundraising. It has been a part of their lives since 2-year-old Grace Davison was born with numerous medical conditions.

Part of the effort to raise money for Grace’s care has come from a local nonprofit organization, Once Upon a Hero.

“The total amount given to this family is $14,000,” said Dawn Hack of Cranberry Township, Once Upon a Hero founder and president.

“The money that we raised for Grace went to buying medical supplies and a hospital bed. They are also hoping to put an addition on their house so that Grace can have the space that she needs for life-saving equipment.”

Grace was born two years ago with numerous medical issues and brain abnormalities, including lissencephaly, or “smooth brain.” This affects the information processing area of her brain.

Her parents, Tom and Joy Davison, have four children: 3-year-old TJ and triplets Natalie, Vivian and Grace. The triplets were premature at eight months, though only Grace was born with health problems.

“She is expected to have the physical and mental capabilities of a newborn,” Joy Davison said. “This requires a lot of equipment.”

Grace is unable to control her body temperature and is under constant risk of becoming ill.

This requires that the Davisons make an addition to their home to accommodate all of Grace’s equipment, and Once Upon a Hero stepped in to help with the cost.

“It was really, really amazing,” Davison said. “They have really big hearts.”

The Davisons, along with friends and family, had been putting on events and fundraising by themselves, she said, but they really enjoyed the fundraisers by Once Upon a Hero.

“It was really fun,” she said. “Grace had fun too.”

Davison said that these days Grace is doing well, though that can bring its own challenges. They are continuing to raise money and ask for assistance from the community either through financial or material donations or through help with labor.

They currently have people helping them with their home including Pittsburgh-based WTW Architects, Davison said.

Chuck Spagnolo, Once Upon a Hero director of beneficiaries, said it was an honor to help the Davisons.

Spagnolo first met the Davisons at a fundraising event for Grace.

“You wouldn’t believe it. They’re a happy family,” said Spagnolo. “They’re just as proud of Grace as the rest of their kids.”

They applied for assistance and were chosen to be the 2016 recipients.

“They stood out in terms of needs, the extent of her medical issues,” Spagnolo said. “Once Upon a Hero was honored to help them.”

Many of the things Grace needs are not covered by insurance, he said.

This is where Once Upon a Hero often comes in with help for families.

“These families fight for everything they can,” Spagnolo said. “You need all the help you can get.”

For more information about Grace and the Davisons, visit www.gofundme.com/sm7ytphg.

On Once Upon a Hero

Once Upon a Hero tries to find a family to help every year, and they are currently accepting applications for a 2017 recipient.

They are also planning for their next event, the third annual Once Upon a Hero Charity Golf Scramble and hope to choose a recipient soon.

The Scramble is at 2 p.m., Aug. 19 at the Stonecrest Golf Course in Wampum in Lawrence County. Up to 36 teams may register.

Minimum donation is $100 per person, and this includes golf, cart, cash prizes and dinner.

For information, call Craig Pracht, golf outing chairman, at 412-585-0490.

Once Upon a Hero was started by the Spillane family in honor of Don Spillane, who died rescuing a young woman at McConnells Mill State Park in 2010.

For more information about the organization, visit onceuponahero.org.