The Chattanooga Area Food Bank announced Shelley Armstrong as its new director of events and major gifts last month. Previously, Ms. Armstrong was senior regional director at the American Heart Association’s Southeast Affiliate, where she oversaw the planning and coordination of the Heart Ball.
 
“I’ve known Shelley for a long time. Her integrity and expertise in the fundraising realm is of the highest caliber,” said Food Bank President and CEO Gina Crumbliss. “We are so blessed to have her introduce our mission to her many friends and supporters.”  
 
Ms. Armstrong has three decades of fundraising, special events and volunteer management experience. At the Food Bank, she will oversee event planning, coordination and sponsorship of the Food Bank’s largest event, HullaBOWLoo; collaborate closely with community partners on the annual WRCB Channel 3’s Share Your ChristmasTM; and oversee food drives and community fundraisers.
 
“I’m honored to support one our community’s most well-known legacies of service at the Food Bank,” Ms. Armstrong said. “A lot of people first come to know the Food Bank when they are in school through a food drive or volunteer opportunity. Those are just two of many ways to support our efforts to reach the one in eight people – including one in five children – who don’t know where their next meal will come from.”
 
At the Heart Association, Ms. Armstrong oversaw all responsibilities related to the Heart Ball, Pulse Party and associated events, for which she was recognized with the Outstanding Fundraising Award in the Southeast Affiliate for seven consecutive years. She also coordinated CPR trainings, blood pressure screenings and volunteer recruitment and training. Previously, Ms. Armstrong was special events and volunteer coordinator at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Lookout Mountain for nearly 10 years. She is still an active member of congregation and serves as lay eucharistic minister lead, lector and more. 
 
Ms. Armstrong’s tenure as senior regional director at the American Heart Association’s Southeast Affiliate was her second; one of her first roles after graduating from Mercer University was director of income for the American Heart Association’s Southeast Affiliate, during which she recruited and trained volunteers and implemented many fundraising activities still in practice today.