KNOXVILLE, TENN. – December 22, 2025 – UT Federal Credit Union (UTFCU) shared the spirit of the season with residents of the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans’ Home through a series of festive events and thoughtful contributions. Coordinated by UTFCU’s Kindness Committee, these efforts created meaningful moments of joy and connection for retired veterans and their families throughout November and December.

UTFCU first partnered with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital (ETCH) to provide tickets for the veterans to attend ETCH’s annual Fantasy of Trees event on November 26. Residents enjoyed the dazzling holiday displays and décor, with UTFCU staff volunteers assisting as wheelchair pushers to ensure a comfortable and inclusive experience for attendees.

On December 12, UTFCU volunteers rejoined the veterans’ home to host a festive holiday party. Staff members helped decorate the space, distributed goodie bags, assisted with bingo, and spent time visiting with residents. Adding to the celebration, UTFCU Director of Member Solutions Ron Arms served as DJ and bingo caller, creating a lively and engaging afternoon.

“It was an honor to support our veterans, and spending time listening to their stories filled with courage, resilience, and lots of laughs was a gift I’ll always cherish,” said Kindness Committee Chair, Sarah Messer. “I am so grateful for our amazing team whose hard work and heart made this special day possible. We can’t wait to go back next year!”

In addition to these events, departments and branches across UTFCU each sponsored a resident of the veterans’ home for the holidays, supporting a total of 20 veterans. Teams shopped for personalized gifts based on individual Christmas wish lists, ensuring each resident will have something meaningful to open on Christmas Day.

The Tennessee State Veterans’ Homes have served veterans across the state since 1991, providing skilled nursing care and individualized accommodations that promote comfort, dignity, and respect. UTFCU is proud to support Ben Atchley’s activity programming, which plays an essential role in promoting socialization and engagement among residents.

UT Federal Credit Union remains committed to building lasting relationships and supporting organizations that serve the community, particularly those who have given so much in service to others.