Learn more about the TN Flood Relief and how you can help by watching this live broadcast from our Hamilton Place Branch from News Channel 12.

http://wdef.com/flood

The images are frightening and so close to home.  Just think only 2 hours away…cars are under water, people have lost their homes, a neighboring community is suffering.  What can we do to help?  TVFCU has partnered with the American Red Cross, News Channel 12, Sunny 92.3 and 96.5 The Mountain to raise funds for our neighboring Tennessee flood victims.  The monetary donations will go to the Red Cross specifically for disaster relief flood victims in Middle and West Tennessee.  All TVFCU branch locations will serve as donation collection points.  We will provide an account to hold and manage the funds until they are donated to the Chattanooga chapter of the American Red Cross.  News Channel 12, Sunny 92.3 and 96.5 The Mountain radio partners will be hosting live, on-location broadcasts from TVFCU branches during the next week to help get the word out.  Stop by one of our 13 locations this week to help support our neighboring community during this traumatic time.  We thank you for your contributions and support!

Youth Gallery Reception   Friday, March 19th @ 7pm-9pm Historic Southside Chattanooga

Not only as an employee but as a fellow artist, I am excited to announce that Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union is co-sponsoring the Youth Gallery at the annual Palate 2 Palette event benefiting The Craniofacial Foundation.  Join us in celebrating Chattanooga’s talented and creative area high school art students exhibiting in the Youth Gallery this Friday, March 19^th from 7:00pm until 9:00pm in the Southside’s old Southern Railway Building on West 13th Street.

This special Youth Gallery reception is an opportunity to preview the juried exhibit prior to the Gallery Stroll. There will be live musical entertainment, and Jason’s Deli will provide refreshments.

Tickets for the Youth Gallery Reception:     Adults: $5     Students: $2

Advanced reservations are not required.

 2010 Youth Gallery Participants:

• Baylor
• Boyd Buchanan High School
• Center for Creative Arts
• Chattanooga Christian School
• CSAS
• Girl’s Preparatory School
• Howard High School
• Ivy Charter School
• McCallie
• Notre Dame
• Ooltewah High School
• Red Bank High School
• Signal Mountain High School
• Soddy Daisy High School
• Tyner Academy

Gallery Stroll  Saturday, March 20th  5pm – 8pm

On Saturday evening the Youth Gallery will be open as part of the Palate 2 Palette Gallery Stroll. There will be live musical entertainment and hors d’oeuvres provided by On the List Catering and Events. Tickets for the Stroll are $75.00 per person and include entrance into all nine galleries and admission to the “Bubbles & Sweets” after-party at Loose Cannon Studio.

Advanced reservations are required, and tickets may be purchased on-line at www.palate2palette.org

Cost: $75 per person.  For more info: (423) 778-9176

Theme: “Why I Love My Credit Union”

Calling all creative geniuses, video aficionados and credit union-loving students. Now is your chance to express your hidden (or not so hidden) creative talent and make some dough towards your college education.

Can life get better? We submit that it cannot! But if YOU submit a 2 minute or less video about why you love your credit union you could win big bucks to help pay for school.

Face it-

• You want your 15 minutes of fame.
• You want to show all your friends the mad skills you’ve developed (or plan on developing) with your video camera.
• You want money to help you get through college.

(Here’s where we come in)

We want creative attention grabbing videos that spread the word about what’s great about TVFCU. So unleash that creative energy and get started!

Here are a few topics to get you started. Feel free to use these or come up with your own.

• What was your first experience with TVFCU?
• Why do you like your Student’s Choice Checking?
• Why did you choose us?
• What is one way TVFCU has helped you?

Here’s how it works-

• Brainstorm the most creative, interesting and captivating way to tell what it is that you like best about TVFCU.
• Grab your pets, your friends, your friend’s pets or whatever to add your personal style to the video.
• Film 2 minutes or less of TVFCU-loving genius.
• Register and upload your video (videos must be in AVI, MOV or MPEG format at a minimum 320×240 resolution) at www.tvfcu.com/scholarship/video_register.php by April 2nd, 2010 (make sure you are a member by the time you upload –you can join with a minimum $5 deposit)

There will be 2 scholarships awarded. The $2,000 grand prize will be awarded by a panel of non TVFCU judges who will be looking for creativity, originality and unique and interesting ways to convey your message.

The second $500 scholarship is based solely on people’s choice. So…

Spread the word! Send your video which will be posted at www.tvfcu.com/scholarship to your friends, family, neighbors, sister’s ex-boyfriend’s dentist, (ok you get the idea) and have them vote for your video. Plus, Facebook, Myspace, blog, text or whatever it is you do to get the word out—do it! Only votes submitted here will count.

Winners will be announced at the Annual Meeting, April 27th to be held at The Chattanooga Zoo at 6 pm as well as posted here.

Good luck and may the creative juices flow!

Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union has partnered with the American Red Cross to raise funds for the Haiti Earthquake victims.  We established a special savings account to make it easy for those who decide to contribute to the Haiti Relief Fund.  The contributions go directly to Haiti through the American Red Cross.  To make a contribution, please visit us at one of our 13 branches.  Thank you so much!

Syndicated radio host Clark Howard comes to Chattanooga for a special engagement at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre on January 14, 2010 at 6pm.  Howard has been protecting the wallets and pocketbooks of regular Americans for years, and is all about helping you, the consumer, hold onto your money.  Sponsored by Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union and Pulse News 95.3. For more information call Brewer Media at 265-9494