SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHILDREN’S HOME CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS
Two major Christmas events marked the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home holiday calendar this year. Starting the celebration was the Foster Care Christmas Banquet held at The Barn in Huntsville, TN. A record-breaking attendance of 220 people were at the banquet. With the assistance of thirteen donors, every child went away with gifts of $75 value toys provided by Operation Compassion, Kelvin Page and the Westmore Church of God (Cleveland, TN), Johnny Dunbar from Heritage Hope Church of God (Somerset, KY), as well as a large number of donors.
With the help of thirteen generous donors, every child in attendance received gifts totaling $50-$75. An anonymous donor contributed $10,000 in cash and $1,000 in Walmart gift cards for children currently in SMCH foster care. This same donor contacted a few friends who collectively donated an extra $4,450 in cash for current foster children. Any current foster child in the care of Smoky Mountain Children’s Home received $120 in cash or Walmart gift cards for Christmas this year. Foster Care Director Beverly Beard stated, “We are eternally grateful to all of our donors this year. This event could not have happened without their generosity!”
The second major event, the SMCH Annual Christmas Banquet was held (for the fifth time in a row) at the Sevierville Convention Center. The banquet is provided for the residents of the Sevierville campus, as well as foster care children and youth. Family and friends of the organization gathered to express their support for SMCH.
This year’s guests witnessed a “first.” Dr. Dusty Wilson, Director of the Church of God International Worship Initiative, presented SMCH Executive Directors Dr. Walt and Tammie Mauldin with five electronic keyboards, three acoustic guitars and a complete drum set. With these instruments, SMCH is launching an Arts Academy in 2025. In addition, a $10,000 check was provided to assist in paying for music lessons for the youth who are residents at SMCH.
Another highlight of the evening included a performance by Rhea Marshall and Power Unlimited, a small ensemble out of Lee University’s Campus Choir. Their presentation framed the entire night in a spirit of worship.
In total, 572 people gathered together in the SMCH Hunstville and Sevierville banquets to celebrate Christmas with the children, youth, staff, families and friends of the organization. To witness so many people sharing in the Christmas festivities was…priceless!
