TVCC Presents $5,042 To Chattanooga Team River Runner

Monday, December 11, 2017

TVCC members pose with Chattanooga TRR Program representatives and volunteers. Pictured from left, front row: Justin Quillen and Terra McGill, TRR volunteers, and Julie Wright-Carlson. Back row from left: Elaine Adams, Chattanooga Therapeutic Recreation coordinator; MIchelle Brickey, Therapeutic Recreation Program specialist; Meryl Stark, TVCC vice president; Jen Maxwell, TVCC Ocoee Race coordinator; David Riall, TVCC member and TRR volunteer; Mely Taylor, TRR volunteer and Jerry Huggins, military veteran and TRR participant.

2017 Ocoee River Race participants

photo by Karl Whipp

The Tennessee Valley Canoe Club (TVCC) presented a check for $5,042 to Team River Runner Chattanooga (TRR) Saturday evening at the TVCC annual holiday party. The money will be used by TRR to help wounded military veterans.

The check was presented by TVCC President Heather Curry to Julie Wright-Carlson, TRR Chattanooga Whitewater Chapter Coordinator. Ms. Wright-Carlson is also a TVCC member and Ocoee River Race co-director.

Elaine Adams, TRR Chattanooga Chapter Coordinator and Michelle Brickey, TRR Chattanooga Chapter Program specialist were also in attendance with Jen Maxwell, TVCC Ocoee River Race director.

TVCC helped raise these funds via its 9th annual Ocoee River Race, held on Oct. 14. This year there were 138 racers, many from out of the area, who met at the Middle Ocoee put-in at 7 a.m. The race this year saw several records fall including the fastest time down the 5-mile run from Dam #2 to the Powerhouse: 30:05 minutes, the most overall start times: 163 and the most race divisions ever: 19.

More than 100 TVCC Volunteers organized the race and after party, provided on-water safety and solicited local sponsors who were key in raising the money.

Key sponsors include TVCC, World Kayak, Rock/Creek, Jackson Kayaks, Pyranha Kayaks, NRS, Werner Paddles, Chattanooga Whiskey, ACE Kayaking, Good People Brewing Company, Bus Bar at Adventures Unlimited, Bellyak Kayaks, Ironman Foundation, Shockerz, Shred Ready Helmets, Mohawk Canoes, OAR, Nevrest Coffee, Whitewater Slimes, and Team Popp.

All proceeds go to TRR Chattanooga. Anyone wanting to volunteer to support TRR can contact Michelle Brickley at 423-643-6606.

For 50 years, the Tennessee Valley Canoe Club has brought together paddlers for recreational canoeing, kayaking, camping and other outdoor activities; helping members learn about and experience safe paddling on the many creeks, rivers and lakes in the Southeast and beyond. TVCC also supports conservation and preservation of recreational waterways as well as various community programs such as TRR, Ironman and other triathlons, Scouting, and Rescue Organizations.

TRR USA was founded in 2004 by Joe Mornini and Mike McCormick with a mission and motto of "Helping Our Wounded Veterans on the River to Recovery." It is based in Rockville, Md., and now has more than 50 active chapters in 31 states.