The morning of December 31st, 2024 began just like any other New Year’s Eve. The busy traffic on North Hall Road outside Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union was filled with the hustle and bustle of people making their way to work.
For Beth Hollomon, the relief of another year in the rear-view mirror brought with it a sense of anticipation of what 2025 might bring as she sat waiting at the red light. Little did she know that as the light turned green, 2024 had one last surprising curveball in store for her.
“This guy behind me kept revving his engine and honking his horn,” said Holloman. “I just paid no attention and kept my eyes focused in front of me. She continued to drive a few more miles down the road before pulling into her favorite coffee shop when the same motorist pulled up beside her, got out, and tapped on her window. ‘Ma’am, I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last couple of miles,’ he stated. ‘I saw a small gray cat jump out of the back of your truck back on Hall Road.'”
A heavy realization of dread slowly overcame her. “Baby Kitty,” as her kids had affectionately named her, had snuck out of the house and made herself a stowaway in the bed of Hollomon’s truck that morning and now she was missing. Hollomon contacted her sister who would later assist her in scouring the area around Hall Road in a desperate attempt to locate Baby Kitty to no avail.
“My kids were devastated when I broke the news to them,” said Holloman. “We were all very upset.”
As anyone would do, she made a post to Facebook and hoped for the best.
Meanwhile, Alcoa Tenn staff member, Erin Hill was busy at her desk when she noticed something darting back and forth outside her office window. After a short chase in front of the building, Hill was able to collect the lively little feline and bring her inside out of the cold.
“She was frightened at first but quickly warmed up to all the attention she was getting,” Hill said with a smile.
While all the employees were completely enamored by their new furry friend, the fact remained that someone out there was missing her. It was later decided that Hill’s mother would foster the cat until the owner could be located. Alcoa Tenn wasted no time posting pictures of Baby Kitty on their Facebook and X social media channels in hopes of finding her family.
Staff member, Chuck Sayne shared the post across various local Facebook groups. “Knowing the community we serve and how everyone looks out for one another, I was certain we’d get in touch with the owner eventually,” Sayne stated.
Alcoa Tenn’s original post garnered 137 shares with a countless number of shares and comments across the various community groups it was posted to. With nine minutes left to go in 2024, a connection to Baby Kitty’s owner had finally been made and Beth Hollomon was contacted immediately by an ATFCU staff member!
The next morning, Hollomon picked up Baby Kitty and brought her safely home. Her youngest two children were sound asleep, so she quietly placed the cat next to them.
Hollomon told Alcoa Tenn, “When the kids woke up, they were so surprised and overjoyed!”
She and her family express their sincere gratitude to the employees of Alcoa Tenn and everyone who spread the word to help Baby Kitty make it home.
If there’s one final thing that 2024 taught us that day, it’s that we can always reach the peak after every valley in life, and that as a credit union and a community we must continue to strive to help one another get there.
