Houston Schwartz was born Nov. 17 and suffers from a congenital heart defect.

Houston Schwartz has been through three open heart surgeries in less than a year.

And he isn't even a year old.

Born on Nov. 17 at York Hospital, Houston was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and was flown to Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital for his first open heart surgery.

Houston has total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), a condition where "basically, his veins were in the wrong place," said his grandmother, Gail Schwartz.

The 8-month-old needs 24-hour care and continues to require multiple procedures to help his heart work.

His father, Matt Schwartz, 35, of Springettsbury Township, lost his job after taking so much time off to care for his son. He continues looking for work while taking care of Houston and his three other children -- Lexy, 7, Austin, 5, and Kyle, 4.

The family has been living with Matt's parents, Rod and Gail Schwartz, for the past year but will move into a townhouse in Hershey to make the frequent medical trips to Hershey Medical Center for Houston less of a hassle.

"When you have a baby with a heart condition like Houston's, you take everything a day at a time," said Gail Schwartz.

Changing needs: Houston's needs change on a daily basis, and he is currently wearing newborn-size clothing because he is so tiny, she said.

"I don't think Matt has had time to think about it, which is probably a good thing," Gail Schwartz said. "You are grateful for every day that you have with him, and milestones are marked by the surgeries that he beat the odds and made it through."

To help raise money for Houston's medical expenses, the White Rose Bar and Grill, 48 N. Beaver St., will be hosting Houston's Downtown Cookout on Saturday.

One hundred percent of admission, parking lot and food sales will be given to the Houston Schwartz and Family Benefit Fund.

Admission is $5, and cookout-style food will be available for purchase. Live entertainment will be provided by Soji from 4 to 6 p.m. and B-Tropical from 6 to 8 p.m.

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Cookout

4-8 p.m. Saturday, White Rose Bar and Grill, 48 N. Beaver St., $5 admission to benefit medical expenses for Houston Schwartz

For more information, call 717-848-5369 or visit www.whiterosebarandgrill.com/Houston.

Donations can also be made to the family at any M&T Bank under the Houston Schwartz and Family Benefit Fund.

-- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com