Smoky Mountain Children’s Home Receives Van from Labels Program
SEVIERVILLE, TN– The Church of God Smoky Mountain Children’s Home has received another new van from Campbell’s Soup program, “Labels for Education.” With the help of individuals, businesses, and church groups, SMCH has collected, processed and sent in 1,600,000 Campbell’s Soup labels in order to receive the vehicle. The new Dodge van, along with other vans on campus, makes it possible for house parents to transport residents to needed appointments and events.
“It all began in 1989, when SMCH—Home for Children—was first introduced to the Labels for Education Program,” said SMCH Executive Director Dr. Walt Mauldin. At that time, only 970,000 labels were required to redeem a new 15-passenger van. “While pessimism ran rampant as to whether the Home could actually collect that many labels, a few optimistic individuals began the campaign of collecting labels to reach this seemingly illusive number. But, while many were saying it just could not be done, Home for Children employees were ignoring the negative few and received their first new van in 1992.” Since then, Smoky Mountain Children’s Home has redeemed several new vans from the Campbell’s Soup Labels for Education Program, giving truth to the old adage: “where there is a will, there is a way.”
Dr. Walt and Tammie Mauldin with the new Dodge van for SMCH (click photo to enlarge)
SMCH has again begun the process of collecting, preparing and sending in Campbell’s Soup labels for the next van, and another 1,600,000 labels is needed. Congregations across the country have responded so well and the SMCH is asking for everyone who wishes to participate to clip off the UPC code on Campbell’s Soup products, and mail them to: Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, ATTN: Campbell’s Soup Labels, P.O. Box 4391, Sevierville, TN 37864-4391. Please call 865-453-4644 for more information on eligible products.
“Help SMCH redeem another new Dodge van and be an active part of caring for at-risk children and youth,” Mauldin said.
