Pictured, from left to right, are Morning Pointe Foundation Executive Director Audra Hopkins, First Volunteer Bank Market Leader (Gunbarrel Road branch) Debbie Raborn, First Volunteer Bank Commercial Banking Executive Jeff Bridgman, Morning Pointe Senior Living Chief Executive Officer Franklin Farrow, First Volunteer Bank Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking Betty Grable, Morning Pointe Senior Living President Greg A. Vital and First Volunteer Bank Marketing Manager Julia Whitworth
First Volunteer Bank donated a new bench to the Morning Pointe Foundation for placement at Morning Pointe of Chattanooga at Shallowford’s courtyard to mark the reopening of the assisted living community, eight months after sustaining major damage during the F3 tornado that struck the area on the evening of April 12.
Over the past seven months, residents displaced by the tornado were housed at nearby Morning Pointe locations and other senior living communities while Morning Pointe of Chattanooga was being rebuilt. Funds for the bench were raised by First Volunteer Bank customers and employees who felt the need to give whatever they could to help those who had lost so much.
“After so many residents were stressed and displaced during the Chattanooga tornado, First Volunteer Bank wanted to give the Morning Pointe community a peaceful place to enjoy the fresh air for many years to come,” said Betty Grable, the senior vice president of commercial banking at First Volunteer Bank.
First Volunteer Bank has partnered with Morning Pointe on a variety of projects since 1997. Most recently, the two companies have collaborated on the Morning Pointe of East Hamilton senior living campus in Ooltewah and The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, Powell (opening late 2021).
A socially-distanced dedication ceremony for the bench took place in the Morning Pointe of Chattanooga courtyard with representatives from First Volunteer Bank, Morning Pointe Senior Living and the Morning Pointe Foundation in attendance. During the dedication, Morning Pointe Senior Living president Greg A. Vital praised the sacrifices made by Morning Pointe associates to keep everyone safe during the tornadoes—especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have our associates to thank for making sure no one was harmed when Morning Pointe of Chattanooga was hit by the tornado. Those residents affected by the storm are alive today because of our associates’ ability to work as a team, think quickly and remain calm under an enormous amount of pressure,” Mr. Vital said. “Each one of them is a shining example of everything a Morning Pointe associate should be, and we are so proud of them for stepping up in such a big way during this crisis.”