TN Members 1st Celebrates 80 Years by Giving Back Through “80 for 80”

As Tennessee Members 1st Federal Credit Union celebrates its 80th anniversary, the credit union is turning part of that celebration outward through 80 for 80, a series of acts of kindness designed to give back to the community that has supported TN Members 1st for generations.

The initiative is part of the credit union’s 80 Years, One Community anniversary celebration and will provide nearly $20,000 in support throughout 2026. Rather than focusing only on the credit union’s history, 80 for 80 creates opportunities to recognize the people and organizations that continue to shape the communities TN Members 1st serves.

“Reaching 80 years gives us a lot to celebrate, but it also gives us an opportunity to say thank you,” said Richelle Ballenger, Vice President of Member Experience at TN Members 1st Federal Credit Union. “Our members and our community have supported this credit union for generations, and it was important to us that giving back was a meaningful part of this anniversary.”

Throughout the year, 80 for 80 is supporting needs that touch different parts of the community, including educational experiences for local children, back-to-school resources, assistance for college students, transportation support, and holiday giving. The effort works alongside local organizations already doing this work every day, allowing the credit union’s anniversary celebration to reach people throughout the communities it serves.

The giving began this summer with support for school field trips through the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge and 80 fully stocked backpacks through ADFAC. This fall, 80 Roane State Community College students were identified as having roughly $80 in bookstore balances; the credit union worked with the Roane State Foundation and Roane State Business Office to clear those balances. Additional community giving is planned through the end of the year.

“Knowing that something we’re doing can make a school day a little easier, help a student get what they need for class, or take one expense off someone’s plate is incredibly meaningful,” Ballenger added. “We’re fortunate to be in a position to support our community, and seeing those resources go directly toward real needs is one of the best ways we could celebrate 80 years.”

TN Members 1st was originally chartered on May 15, 1946, as Oak Ridge Government Employees Federal Credit Union, serving Department of Energy employees from a single location in the Department of Energy building. Eight decades later, the credit union continues to serve East Tennessee while remaining rooted in the community where its story began.

The 80th anniversary celebration continues through March 2027 with community activities, member stories, historical highlights, and other opportunities to recognize the people who have been part of the TN Members 1st story.

Members and community residents can learn more about 80 Years, One Community, explore the credit union’s history, and share their own TN Members 1st stories at mymembersfirst.org/80.