Sevierville, Tenn.–It all started on a beautiful Mother’s Day in the state of Texas. The Keller Church of God had previously asked the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home (SMCH) about helping with a project. At that time, Pastor James Binion (now Administrative Bishop of New Mexico) shared with the church a special need involving the Texas Rose Cottage #1.
Dr. Walt and Tammie Mauldin of SMCH developed a brief video for the church outlining the specific needs of the cottage. The exterior eaves and fascia were deteriorating, guttering was non-existent and these areas needed immediate attention.
A gentleman attending church that morning, the pastor’s brother, volunteered Home Depot to take care of this project. Through a series of staff changes and endless telephone conversations, it appeared the project might have been lost. However, over the last few months, Marshall Ridley from the corporate headquarters made contact with Dr. Mauldin to ensure him the work would be finished.
Throughout the month of August, Home Depot was represented on the SMCH campus day after day. Deteriorating wood was replaced, and eaves and fascia of the Texas cottage were covered with glistening, white aluminum.
Dr. Walt Mauldin commented, “This is the second work project with which Home Depot has volunteered to assist us, and all of us are thrilled it is now completed. Home Depot’s first major visit included replacing blinds, lighting and plumbing fixtures for an entire cottage. Without Home Depot, we would not be able to provide our youth with appropriate housing. The aesthetics of the Texas Rose Cottage has improved exponentially.”
The overall plan of the campus is to improve the worst cottage which, in turn, enhances the overall appearance of the entire campus. Texas Rose Cottage was the worst cottage but is now one of their best. SMCH is indebted to Home Depot for the act of kindness.
(Submitted by Dr. Pamela Kay Overbey, Special Projects Director / Executive Assistant to Dr. Walt Mauldin, Executive Director, Smoky Mountain Children’s Home)