Pickleball Tournament Transformed Lives in Calhoun: The first Pickleball for a Purpose tournament, hosted by Morning Pointe of Calhoun Assisted Living and Memory Care, made a significant impact by raising $6,800 for the Morning Pointe Foundation. This 501(c)(3) organization is committed to advancing senior care through scholarships, caregiver support programs, and educational initiatives throughout the Southeast. Founded in 2014 by senior healthcare leaders Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, the foundation also supports a local scholarship at Dalton State College, furthering its mission to enhance the lives of seniors in the community.
Miranda Perez, the executive director of the Morning Pointe Foundation, reflected on the day’s success, saying,
“We had quite a day… enjoying the beautiful fall weather, playing some pickleball, and raising funds for deserving students.” – (Miranda Perez)
She expressed her gratitude towards Morning Pointe of Calhoun for their innovative approach in organizing such a meaningful event.
“Thank you to Morning Pointe of Calhoun for their creativity and effort in putting this fun event together for the greater community. I have seen how students’ lives are impacted by these scholarships, and the support of people right here in North Georgia will play a real role in making these dreams come true.” – (Miranda Perez)
Tournament Winners Shine
The pickleball tournament featured competitive divisions, with players showing their skills on the courts. In the Women’s Division, Intermediate Level, the winners were:
- First Place: Lynn Swann and Meredith Gumm
- Second Place: Michelle Palmer and Christie Meadows
- Third Place: Bebe Kennedy and Wendy MacDonald
In the Men’s Division, Intermediate Level, the top contenders were:
- First Place: Rucker Reeves and Eddie Reeves
- Second Place: Jerron Bailey and Joseph Robbins
- Third Place: Tony Schiebrel and Grayson Gumm
The Women’s Division, Amateur Level, saw:
- First Place: Jennifer Hill and Jodi Sexton
- Second Place: Hannah Ryan and Maria Ramirez
- Third Place: Leah Beamer and Elizabeth Parrott
In the Men’s Division, Amateur Level, the accolades went to:
- First Place: Max Ford and Walker Hurd
- Second Place: Troy Swan and Owen Schall
- Third Place: Zach Jarvis and Draven Peppers
“Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who came out to the Pickleball for a Purpose tournament as a player or a sponsor. We appreciate each one of you for supporting the event and supporting education.” – (Miranda Perez)
A Community Effort
The pickleball tournament enjoyed the backing of several sponsors, including Homespun Hospice as the title sponsor, AdventHealth as the player gear sponsor, and Momon Construction as the court sponsor.
APHIX provided hydration stations, while The Rising Osteopathic Family Medicine & Medical Spa sponsored the hospitality table, reflecting the community spirit that the event showed.
Located at 660 Jolly Road NW, Morning Pointe of Calhoun offers assisted living and memory care services with 24/7 clinical care, a full life enrichment program, on-site therapy services, and specialized memory care programs.
Initiatives like the Pickleball for a Purpose tournament highlight the commitment of Morning Pointe to not only care for seniors but to also empower future generations through education.
News in Brief: Pickleball Tournament Transformed Lives in Calhoun
The first Pickleball for a Purpose tournament in Calhoun, Georgia, raised $6,800 for the Morning Pointe Foundation, supporting scholarships and senior care initiatives.
The pickleball event featured various divisions, with winners including Lynn Swann and Meredith Gumm in the Women’s Intermediate Level, and Rucker Reeves and Eddie Reeves in the Men’s Intermediate Level.
Executive Director Miranda Perez praised the community’s support, emphasizing the importance of education funding for local students.
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