Oak Ridge, TN - March 12, 2020 - In late 2018, ORNL Federal Credit Union announced a photo contest encouraging local photographers of any skill level to submit their best photos of the Eastern Tennessee region. In its first year, the competition received over 200 entries with the top 12 photos being published in the Credit Union’s first annual monthly calendar. Over 1,000 calendars were sold in its first year.

The photography contest for ORNL FCU’s 2020 monthly calendar concluded in early October 2019. Members and the community embraced the annual photo competition once again, with over 900 images submitted. After public voting concluded, the top three photos from each season were featured in the printed ORNL FCU 2020 monthly calendar. Over 1,600 calendars were sold at ORNL FCU branches.

Smoky Mountain Service Dogs (SMSD) was selected as the featured charity for the Credit Union’s 2020 calendar and was presented with a donation of $8,000 from Credit Union representatives.

"We are very grateful for this donation. This $8,000 will cover the costs to feed all of our dogs for an entire year" said Mike Kitchens, Volunteer Chair of SMSD.

SMSD is a non-profit organization that provides service dogs to disabled Veterans, at no cost, throughout the state of Tennessee. You can learn more about this organization at their website, smokymountainservicedogs.org.

ORNL FCU will announce details for its 2021 monthly calendar photo contest later this year.