(Above: Photo Courtesy of West Village) Chattanooga area businesses come together to support the community through a food drive.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
Over the last several months, our world has experienced significant change. These unprecedented times have proven especially challenging to the Chattanooga area, which has weathered destructive storms along with the spread of a highly contagious disease.
Yet the Chattanooga Spirit – a rich tradition of collaboration, service, innovation, and community involvement that once revitalized a declining industrial town – has endured.
Take, for example, first responders who cared for injuries, downed trees, gas leaks, and grounded power lines following Easter Sunday’s deadly tornadoes. Or our local police who watched over personal property day and night following the storms.
Consider the doctors and nurses who sacrificed their own health while working on the front lines to fight COVID-19. A local school that innovated testing procedures needed to identify this virus. Food and health services who have worked tirelessly to aid struggling families. And local businesses who have contributed time, money, and manpower to see our city through to better days ahead.
What follows is a heartwarming and uplifting pictorial of the Chattanooga Spirit, which, even after all these years, is such an integral part of the place we call home.
Our hope is that this brings you encouragement and a sense of solidarity as together, we press on and persevere.
community
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” – JOHN HOLMES
Area volunteers help clear damage following the storms on Easter Sunday.
(Photo Courtesy of Full Steam CrossFit/Jordan Core)
Amidst a pandemic, residents still find a way to safely help their community.
(Photo Courtesy of @mhm_itskels)
Chattanoogans young and old stand united.
(Photo Courtesy of @beyou.doyou.forus)
courage
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” – ANAIS NIN
Tennova Cleveland
(Photo Courtesy of Tennova Cleveland)
Parkridge Health System
(Photo Courtesy of Parkridge Health System)
Erlanger Health System
(Photo Courtesy of Erlanger Health System)
CHI Memorial
(Photo Courtesy of CHI Memorial)
Hamilton County EMS
(Photo Courtesy of Hamilton County EMS)
service
“The highest of distinctions is service to others.” – KING GEORGE VI (Also known as “Bertie,” George became known as a symbol of British determination to win World War II.)
As dawn breaks, a fleet of EPB vehicles get ready to service the needs of 60,000 homes and businesses.
(Photo Courtesy of Matt Stevens/CBL Properties)
A team of volunteers gather to help provide meals for those in need.
(Photo Courtesy of Chattanooga Area Food Bank)
Chattanooga Police assess the needs of residents following the Easter Sunday storms.
(Photo Courtesy of the Chattanooga Police Department)
On the front lines, the Chattanooga Fire Department helps members of the community in any way they can.
(Photo Courtesy of Chuck Hartung/Chattanooga Fire Department)
innovation
“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” – ARTHUR C. CLARKE
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 3D prints face shields for medical personnel.
(Photos Courtesy of Angela Foster/UTC)
Distilleries Lass & Lions and Chattanooga Whiskey make hand sanitizer in their facilities.
(Photos Courtesy of Lass & Lions and Chattanooga Whiskey)
perseverance
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” – JOHN QUINCY ADAMS
Offering hope and determination to rebuild, Morning Pointe CEO Greg Vital and community leaders assess tornado damage.
(Photos Courtesy of Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance)
Front-line health care workers test for COVID-19 during the pandemic.
(Photo Courtesy of Hamilton County Health Department)
People of all ages marvel at the sacrifices made by first responders.
(Photo Courtesy of EPB)
