Morning Pointe Foundation

03/10/2026

Behind every scholarship is a student working toward a career that serves others. 🎓

The Morning Pointe Foundation, established by Morning Pointe Senior Living co-founders Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow, has received the 2026 SOAR Philanthropy Award from the College System of Tennessee - Tennessee Board of Regents, recognizing the organization and its founders for their lasting contributions to students, communities, and workforce development across the state. 🏆

Since 2014, the Morning Pointe Foundation has focused on strengthening the future of caregiving by supporting students pursuing careers in nursing, therapy, social work, and culinary arts, while also offering free caregiver education programs for families navigating aging and memory care.

Together, Morning Pointe Senior Living and the Morning Pointe Foundation have invested more than $2.1 million in Tennessee’s community colleges and technical schools, helping expand educational opportunities and strengthen the workforce that will care for older adults for generations to come.

We are grateful for this recognition and for the many students, schools, and partners who continue to be part of this mission.

📰 Learn more in the full press release:
https://ow.ly/uihA50YrS8t

03/08/2026

What does it mean to care for someone with grace?

In this Local 3 Plus You segment on Local 3 News, Morning Pointe Senior Living’s Lela Cordell and Kristen Weitz share the heart behind Moments of Grace: A Caregiving Summit, an upcoming event created to encourage, educate, and support those caring for loved ones.

During the interview, they discuss what inspired the event, what attendees can expect, and answer some of the questions families often face when navigating the caregiving journey.

Join us for this meaningful afternoon of conversation, insight, and encouragement:

🗓 March 21
⏰ 12:00–4:00 PM
📍 New Hope Presbyterian Church
7608 Shallowford Rd., Chattanooga, TN

🎟 Cost: $20 (includes lunch and a raffle ticket)
To purchase a ticket, email chattanooga-lan-crd@morningpointe.com

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Morning Pointe Foundation, supporting caregiver education programs and scholarships in nursing, culinary social work, and therapy through our school partners across the Southeast, all to advance the care of seniors and grow the future workforce.

🎥 Watch the full segment from Local 3 News here:
https://ow.ly/etsV50YquYo

If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia, "Moments of Grace" on March 21 will connect you with resources and support. Thank you to The Chat...

02/22/2026

Paying for senior care is one of the biggest questions people face — and it’s exactly what we’ll be discussing at our upcoming Morning Pointe Foundation Caregiver Café events.

This week’s Understanding Senior Living blog from Morning Pointe Senior Living breaks it down in plain language: what Medicare really covers (and what it doesn’t), how Medicaid and VA benefits work, and the private-pay tools often combined to build a realistic plan.

If you’ve ever wondered, “How are we actually going to pay for this?” — this guide is a helpful place to start before joining the conversation in person.

📖 Read the full blog here: https://ow.ly/4STf50YetNV

We’d also love to see you at a Morning Pointe Foundation Caregiver Café, where you can ask questions, hear from local experts, and leave feeling more prepared for what’s ahead. Learn more about our upcoming events here: https://morningpointe.com/caregiver-cafe/

02/03/2026

Proud to be part of a conversation that supports Athens and the future ahead. 💙
Morning Pointe of Athens recently welcomed Miranda Perez, Executive Director of the Morning Pointe Foundation, to speak at a Kiwanis meeting hosted at our partner school, Tennessee Wesleyan University.

Miranda shared the Foundation’s mission and the meaningful impact it continues to have in Athens and across McMinn County—supporting local students, education, and workforce development. Moments like this reflect the importance of investing in people and strengthening the community we call home. ✨

To learn more about the mission and impact of the Morning Pointe Foundation, visit: https://morningpointefoundation.com/

12/29/2025

Strong partnerships help strengthen care — now and for the future. 🩺💙
The Morning Pointe Foundation is proud to partner with the Chattanooga College Nursing Program, welcoming Licensed Practical Nursing students into our Chattanooga-area communities as part of their clinical rotations. Recently, Kristi Thomasson, Director of Nursing, and Ashley Yarbrough, Clinical Coordinator, toured all six Chattanooga Morning Pointe communities and spent time getting to know our teams and residents. The visit continued on campus at Chattanooga College, where we connected with faculty, students, and saw firsthand the classroom and nursing lab environments shaping the next generation of caregivers.

We’re excited about what this partnership means — building relationships, supporting hands-on learning, and encouraging future nurses to see senior care as a meaningful and rewarding career path.

To learn more about career opportunities and professional growth at Morning Pointe Senior Living, visit: https://bit.ly/morningpointecareers

12/17/2025

12/13/2025

🎅🏃‍♂️ What a morning at the 2nd Annual Morning Pointe Foundation Santa Shuffle!
In partnership with Morning Pointe at Happy Valley - Assisted Living & Memory Care, more than 50 runners kicked off the holiday season with a crisp, joy-filled 5K & 1-Mile Dash — complete with Santa, scenic farm views, and plenty of festive spirit. 🎄✨

The event supports the Morning Pointe Foundation which provides scholarships in nursing, culinary, social work, and therapy fields — helping students across the Southeast including those at our partner school Dalton State College. And of course, runners enjoyed the beautiful backdrop of Happy Valley Farms along the course. 💛

🏆 5K TOP FINISHERS

👨 Men
🥇 Ryan Shrum — 17:31
🥈 Tripp McCallie — 17:48
🥉 Brady Wells — 19:37

👩 Women
🥇 Gilamarie Brown — 23:58
🥈 Myra Heptinstall — 27:09
🥉 Hannah Bruning — 28:10

🎉 Event Highlights
• Santa arrived in full holiday style to cheer on runners
• The course featured beautiful views — and horse cameos — at Happy Valley Farms 🐴
• Our warm and cozy Hot Cocoa Bar was a crowd favorite, lovingly prepared by Food Service Director Brittney Brown ☕✨

💛 SPECIAL THANK-YOUS

Chattanooga Track Club for helping the entire race run smoothly with professional timing and on-site support.

⭐ Aphix — our largest sponsor this year, whose generous support helped make the event possible.

⭐ Happy Valley Farms, Tapestry Hospice, Lavender Lime Quilts, The Refuge, and Horizon Advisors — thank you for supporting this growing holiday tradition.

🎄 Thank you to everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, sponsored, or cheered.
We can’t wait to see this tradition grow even more next year! ❤️

12/10/2025

🏃‍♀️ Join us THIS SATURDAY as we walk, run, and give back at the Morning Pointe Foundation Santa Shuffle! 🎄

The Santa Shuffle 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run is happening at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley – Assisted Living & Memory Care, and we’re just days away from coming together for a meaningful cause. 🎅✨

Be one of the first 50 registered participants, and you’ll receive an exclusive Santa hat + hot cocoa mug — and once they’re gone, they’re gone. 🎁☕️

Most importantly, every mile supports the Morning Pointe Foundation and its mission to provide scholarships for future healthcare professionals. Your participation helps equip the next generation of caregivers and strengthens the communities we serve. 💚🎓

🗓️ Don’t wait — register now before spots (and Santa hats) disappear: bit.ly/MPSantaShuffle

12/04/2025

✨ What a memorable evening celebrating the people who bring Morning Pointe Senior Living to life every single day. Surrounded by leaders from across our five-state footprint, our co-founders, Franklin Farrow and Greg Vital, helped honor associates and campuses whose dedication made 2025 an extraordinary year.

🏅 2025 Community Honors
• Morning Pointe Foundation Award — Morning Pointe of Calhoun, GA
• Associate Satisfaction Award — Morning Pointe of Greeneville, TN
• Operational Achievement Award — Morning Pointe of Spring Hill, TN
• Fiscal Responsibility Award — Morning Pointe of Hixson, TN
• Community Relations & Marketing Achievement Award — Morning Pointe of Frankfort, KY Campus

🌟 Community of the Year
• Morning Pointe of Athens, TN — Executive Director: Crystal Sutton

🌟 Chairman’s Award
• Morning Pointe of Tullahoma, TN — Executive Director: Tana Caldwell

🌟 Exceeding Expectations Award Winners
• Community Relations & Marketing — Jessica Schaeffer (Morning Pointe of Knoxville, TN Campus)
• Food Service — Shannon Bolden (Morning Pointe of Powell, TN)
• Nursing — Anita Hayes (Morning Pointe of Calhoun, GA)
• Caregiving — Liwisa Pwohn (Morning Pointe of Owensboro, KY)
• Life Enrichment & Alzheimer’s Programming — Dawn Pittman (The Lantern at Morning Pointe of Lexington, KY)
• Maintenance & Housekeeping — Billy Mosier (Morning Pointe of Richmond, KY)
• Business Office — Kim Tipton (Morning Pointe of Athens, TN)
• Home Office — Shona Chandler (VP of Associate Engagement & Talent)

These honors celebrate the individuals and communities who lead with heart, elevate the resident experience, and strengthen Morning Pointe in meaningful ways. Your dedication is a big part of what makes Morning Pointe the region’s choice in assisted living and memory care — and your impact shines across every hallway, every shift, and every community we serve. 💚👏

12/02/2025

💙🌟 In the spirit of giving, help support students who are called to serve others.

The Morning Pointe Foundation provides scholarships for students pursuing nursing, therapy, culinary arts, social work, and other fields that uplift individuals, families, and communities across the Southeast. Your generosity helps future caregivers and professionals follow their calling — and strengthens communities for generations to come.

Every gift makes an impact. ❤️
Donate today: https://morningpointefoundation.com/donate

12/02/2025

🎓💙 On this Giving Tuesday, hear directly from Miranda Perez, Executive Director of the Morning Pointe Foundation, as she shares why our mission matters.

The Foundation provides scholarships for future nurses, therapists, culinary professionals, and social workers — individuals who will go on to support communities, help families, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others across the Southeast and beyond. 🌟

Your support helps open doors for students who are passionate about serving others and building a stronger, more compassionate world. Every gift becomes part of someone’s journey to making an impact.

❤️ Join us in supporting the next generation of caregivers, helpers, and community leaders.
Donate here: https://morningpointefoundation.com/donate