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What better way to experience how far we’ve come over the years than relaxing on a yacht? Well, we got as close to the real thing as possible at this year’s annual gala event, Come Sail Away at the Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points. This year, The Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points took the community back in time with a Yacht Rock-themed dinner party. Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy a great meal, listen to awesome music, and mingle with the rest of the community. Music was provided by Monsters of Yacht, who put on an incredible show. In addition, the Museum was able to show off a few upcoming exhibits including the Howard Finster exhibit entitled Finster’s Sacred Art. As always, the annual Gala also featured an auction, which included once in a lifetime items for those who attended. Auction items included a Viking Cruise which featured an 8-day European River Voyage for any two people, a Golden Doodle puppy, and 6 other unique experiences. Over $100,000 was raised from the live auction, which will benefit educational, cultural, and arts programming at the Museum. This year’s gala was a huge success with over 200 community members attending. This event, along with all of their others throughout the year, goes to benefit all that the museum does. Their educational and cultural programs including summer camps reach 1,000 kids annually and go a long way toward encouraging the children of the community to get excited about history and culture, while also enriching the community as a whole. The Museum and Cultural Center at 5ive Points has a lot more events coming in 2023. To learn more about the Museum and what they do, check out its website at www.museumcenter.org/museum-events /. We had such a great time at the Come Sail Away dinner and we look forward to seeing our community next time! For all things Ford, including new and used Ford models near you, check us out on S Lee Hwy, just outside Chattanooga!

Summer may be over, but we’re still in the thick of hurricane season. While Florida usually gets the brunt of the storms, there are good chances that those strong residual winds, rains, and other terrifying weather will affect the Chattanooga area as well. And when that happens, it’s crucial to protect your Ford from the damage these strong storms can cause. Storms can cause a lot of damage, especially if you’re unprepared. Falling trees or limbs, hail, debris blown around by the strong winds, and all of this and more can pose significant risks to a car sitting out on the street unprotected. And there’s nothing worse than waking up after a crazy storm to see your car dented or windows cracked or broken as a result. While your favorite local Ford experts at Cleveland Ford are here to help repair any damage, we’d rather you avoid that situation completely. So here are some things you can do to keep your Folrd out of harm's way! How to Protect Your Car During Hurricanes and Tropical Storms Strong storms like hurricanes or even severe thunderstorms can produce some crazy weather conditions. These can include hail the size of quarters or larger that can fall at speeds faster than 100 miles per hour, fast and strong winds sometimes reaching speeds of 74 miles per hour, and incredible amounts of heavy rain averaging around 16 inches, all resulting in flooding from storm surges, personal and property damage, and more. If you’ve left your car out on the road in the middle of a hurricane, tropical storm, or even a severe thunderstorm, there’s a good chance that your car will be on the receiving end of some crazy damage from trees, debris, water, and a lot more. We’re here to help give you some tips on how to protect your car in the event of severe weather events and future-proof yourself a bit in the process. Preparing Your Car For The Storm Protecting your car from any potential damage is definitely the first thing you should be thinking about. There are a handful of things you can do to prep your car from the barrage of wind, rain, and more that is bound to come during any severe weather event. Remove any crucial documents and personal items Lock all doors and close windows and moon/sunroofs Protect windows and lights with foam and duct tape Set your hand/emergency brake to brace your car Fill the gas tank Use a car cover or large blanket/rug The number one thing you want to do is secure any and all documents as well as personal items. This can include your insurance cards, registration, and any other important papers you may be keeping in your glove box. In the event of flooding, you definitely don’t want any of those papers to receive any severe water damage. Once you’ve got all you wanted to out of your car, you can begin adding layers of protection. Placing foam against the windows secured with duct tape will support your windows during intense winds. Setting your parking brake gives your car something to brace against in the event of flooding and winds. And of course, covering your car with a heavy blanket paired with a tarp will help protect against falling debris or hail. Filling your gas tank is a really good way to give yourself an out if you suddenly need to move your car or evacuate from your house or apartment. All of this, as well as anything else you come up with, will be great ways to protect your car the best you can from damage during a storm. Where to Park Your Car During a Storm Knowing where to park your car during a storm can give you a huge advantage and help you avoid serious damage. It should come as no surprise that parking under a tree or next to the water is probably not the greatest idea during an intense storm. You want a place that does more to protect your car and avoid anything that may easily break off and land on said car. Places like covered parking garages are very ideal, as they provide not only nearly complete coverage on all sides but often place your car at a higher elevation which can protect your car from flooding. You definitely want to avoid basement or low-level parking areas, as those will be the first places to flood during heavy rainfall. However, any enclosed parking space will be more ideal than an open-air parking lot, so if you have a parking garage best make use of it. And even if you’re car is protected on all sides, it’s still a good idea to implement all of the layers of protection. More protection is always a good idea. Future-Proof Yourself Before any serious storm, if you’re expecting the chance that your car may be damaged, it may be a good idea to take pictures of the condition of your car BEFORE the storm. Most car insurances do provide a level of natural disaster coverage. However, insurance also typically will look for any reason not to pay out that coverage. If you take pictures of the condition of your car before the storm, you have a solid baseline to compare any damage that may have taken place during the storm. And photo evidence is irrefutable in most cases. Driving During a Severe Storm Obviously, it’s not a great idea to head out on the road in the middle of a hurricane or other severe weather event. However, some situations are unavoidable, like having to evacuate from your home or apartment building, or driving back home and you get stuck in a storm. So if you’re going to be driving in the middle of one of the worst situations possible, be smart about it. The number one thing to avoid is any flooded roads or washed-out bridges. Even if you have a decent off-road vehicle that’s prepared for situations like that, you likely don’t have the necessary training or experience to come out of that unscathed. Find a new route that takes a higher road. Another road hazard to watch for is fallen objects or downed power lines. Storms can bring down a whole manner of branches, whole trees, telephone poles, and power lines that can pose a great risk to you on the road. Don’t take the risk of trying to move the branch and definitely don’t touch downed power lines as they are likely still live and extremely dangerous. Stay in your car and find a way around or a completely new route. The way you drive will also change depending on the situation. During low visibility and high winds and rain, it’s best to slow down as much as you can. Driving slow allows you to have more time to respond to stalled vehicles or road hazards, while also giving you more control against strong winds. Stay Safe Out There Hurricanes, tropical storms, and other forms of severe weather are no joke. They’ve accounted for billions of dollars of damage and countless deaths over the years and we don’t want you to fall victim to the increasing danger these severe weather events bring with them. While these tips are not a guarantee that you’ll avoid any and all danger or damage by any means, they are certainly a good start to protecting yourself and your property. To learn more, please visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes and stay safe out there! Remember, a car is replaceable, you are not.

Sports play a huge role in the development of children. It teaches them discipline, and teamwork, and encourages them to strive towards personal and team goals, which directly carry over to everyday life. Unfortunately, school sports is a department that sufferers from underfunding, as do many aspects of schools. That’s why our team at Cleveland Ford is proud to be sponsors of the 2022 Lady Colts Ocoee Middle Softball team at Ocoee Middle School. The Ocoee Middle Softball team has a longstanding tradition of preparing young women for competition at the highest level and their commitment to those girls has led to their teams winning numerous titles and championships over the years. But beyond that, this program is well known for its positive impact on not only the players but the families and communities of all involved. The best part about this sponsorship is that it will have an immediate impact on the team. Costs are consistently growing to maintain the gear and equipment needed to give these girls a quality softball experience, paired with the traditions and small pleasures during games and practice. This means that the funds we’ve donated will be immediately used to improve the lives of every team member with updated equipment and more. Helping kids grow and thrive has never been more important than it is right now. We are so excited to once again sponsor the Lady Colts at Ocoee Middle School and hope they have an incredible 2022 season! If you want to learn more about how you can support the 2022 Lady Colts Ocoee Middle School Softball team, head over to their website.

Summer camp often ends up being the source of the best childhood memories. And when that summer camp also includes their favorite sport, that experience could be the thing that takes their love of that sport up a whole new level. Events like the LETS Basketball Camp are so crucial for kids. This year, Cleveland Ford had the privilege of being a sponsor for the LETS Scott Family Basketball Camp and helping to further their mission of giving back to the community and helping young men and women to learn and develop on the court. After being on hold for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the LETS Basketball Camp kicked off on July 19th and ran until the 22nd at the Bradley Central High School. The camp saw over 260 boys and girls ages 8 to 15 attend this year for absolutely no cost to the families. This fact alone sets the LETS Camp apart from other summer camps. LETS or Life Education Through Sports is an alternative education and development non-profit organization founded by Retired Phoenix Suns Legend Alvin Scott and the Scott Family. The Scotts have deep roots in the South-East Tennessee and Cleveland-Bradley County area, having been born and raised in Cleveland. Our sponsorship of the 2022 LETS Scott Family Basketball Camp directly supported the camp, which we are proud to have been a part of. Here’s hoping we can be a part of next year’s Basketball Camp and continue supporting the youth of the Cleveland-Bradley County and South-East Tennessee areas! To learn more about the Scott Family and the LETS Basketball Camp, visit their website! Thank you for being a constant stream of positive support for Tennessee.

What better way to spend the summer than supporting local businesses with a relaxing round of golf? Well, they don’t call them the Better Business Bureau for nothing! The 25th anniversary of the BBB Golf Tournament kicks off on Wednesday, September 28th at Windstone Golf Club. This annual golf tournament gives businesses the opportunity to interact with other local businesses in their community, connect closer with customers, make new friends, and even raise awareness for their own businesses. Along with a great round of golf on a gorgeous course, the event features a bunch of other activities for all who participate. These include the opportunity to win prizes, bid on items from local BBB-accredited businesses during the silent auction, and enjoy incredible food from local restaurants. Breakfast will be provided by Cooke's Food Stores, enjoy lunch from Food City, and an awesome dinner by Il Primo! Last year, former BBB CEO Jim Winsett was the honoree following a 17-year career with the Better Business Bureau. However, this year the BBB is solely focusing on its 25th anniversary. This event started way back in 1998 and has been a staple in the Southeast TN and Northwest GA communities ever since. We’ve been Sponsors of the BBB Golf Tournament since 2020 and are extremely excited to be returning for their 25th anniversary! The BBB Golf Classic is the Better Business Bureau’s only fundraising event during the year and all proceeds go to help support services they offer to the public at no cost. One example of these services is the over 568,000 reports on local businesses they provided to customers who want to be sure they’re supporting trustworthy businesses. Here at Cleveland Ford, being a part of the greater Chattanooga community and participating in events like these mean a lot to us. We love making new friends and opening new doors with other local businesses. We’ll have a team of 4 awesome golfers participating this year, so if you are involved with a local business or know someone who would be interested in participating in or attending this year’s BBB Golf Tournament, you can learn more about how to sign up right here! We can’t wait to see all of you at Windstone Golf Course on September 28th!

What’s the best part about the 4th of July? The fireworks? Celebration of our nation? The cookout with family and friends? Maybe it’s the extra long weekend. Whatever it is, there’s no denying that July 4th is an incredible celebration, and this year we were able to be a part of the festivities along with Mt. Olive Ministries. This year’s 4th of July celebrations in Cleveland was held at Bradley Square Mall, a central location for all the beautiful people of Cleveland to meet, shop, and enjoy a spectacular show of fireworks. These fireworks are put off every year and act as the official show of the great City of Cleveland! Over the years, Cleveland Ford has loved being a big part of making the 4th of July celebration a huge hit, and this year was no exception. The display was launched at Perry Stone Ministries, so everyone was able to see the show right over the Bradley Square Mall. The community was able to enjoy the show either from the Mall parking lot, nearby at Tinsley Park, or anywhere surrounding the Mall. And to make the show even better, Mix 104.1 FM was synched up with the show, which added a whole other patriotic element! While the fireworks weren’t until about 9:20 pm, the mall itself was open from 11 am to 6 pm, so the Cleveland community was able to enjoy the day shopping and the night celebrating. We hope everyone had a fantastic time watching the fireworks and enjoying their Independence Day in Cleveland and we can’t wait to put on another incredible show for you next year!

It’s rare for an organization to truly be open and accepting of everyone. But that’s exactly what the Bradley Sunrise Rotary is. Established in 1995, the Bradley Sunrise Rotary encompasses exactly what America is, a melting pot of cultures and people coming together to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace. The Rotary Club consists of business professionals and community leaders of different backgrounds and creeds to work together towards a common goal. For the past years, Cleveland Ford has been a sponsor of the Sunrise Gala, and we’re back this year for the 2022 Sunrise Gala happening August 13th. This Gala supports a variety of local and international non-profit organizations including the Habitat for Humanity, Men and Women of Action, Keep America Beautiful, and many more. Those attending this year’s Gala will enjoy a terrific dinner while expanding their understanding with Lt. Col. Robert Darling. Lt. Col. Darling is a retired United States Marine Corp veteran who flew attack helicopters for over twenty years including in Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was also selected to fly as a presidential pilot with Marine Helicopter Squadron One and was handpicked to work for the Whtie House Military Office, Airlift Operations Department. He supported Former President Bush and his cabinet in the President’s Emergency Operations Center during 9/11. Along with earning his MBA in Financial Management, serving as Program Manager for the Chief of Naval Operations, and being a public speaker on crisis leadership and decision making, he is also the author of “24 Hours Inside the President’s Bunker, 9/11/01: The White House”. He currently acts as the President and CEO of Turning Point Crisis Management. Cleveland Ford loves to support any effort towards unity, peace, and understanding, which is exactly what the Bradley Sunrise Rotary represents. This year’s Sunrise Gala will be held at the Museum Center at 5ive Points, and we are very proud to be returning sponsors of the event. If you would like to learn more about this Rotary club branch and how you can participate or support their cause, check out their website for all of their information!

When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. That’s why supporting our local school districts and their sports teams is so important to us at Cleveland Ford. While school funding continues to dwindle and teachers fight for the bare necessities, the community often needs to step up and help where it can. Events like the Annual Lady Raider Invitational Golf Tournament are great ways to support these schools and their sports teams directly. This year, the Lady Raider Invitational Golf Tournament is taking place on October 1st with an 8:30 am Shotgun at Falcon Point Golf Club. Each participating team will have 4 golfers competing for 1st, 2nd, or 9th place prizes. The prizes include ProV1/Vice Golf Balls, Rounds of Golf, TN Football tickets, Raider Passes, and more! Cleveland High School and the Lady Raiders are very transparent about how the money raised at this fundraiser will be used. Last year, they were able to buy brand new uniforms for the girls for the first time in 6 years thanks to the money raised. This year, all of the proceeds will be used to further their mission of diversity and inclusivity. Cleveland HS is a very diverse school and they want to make sure that anyone who wants to play sports has the opportunity and means to do so. That’s why, all proceeds from this year’s Golf Invitational will be used to cover basketball player fees, player gear, equipment, uniforms, maintenance, and updates. Cleveland Ford has been a long-time supporter of Cleveland High School and the Lady Raiders and we’re so happy to return this year and support them again. If you or someone you know would like to take part in the Golf Tournament or simply attend as a spectator, you can learn more about the event and the Lady Raiders at tinyurl.com/52zafbm2 and Clevelandschools.org.