Rossville, GA. Dec 16 — The holiday season kicked off with energy, purpose, and community spirit during the 2nd Annual Morning Pointe Foundation Santa Shuffle, held in partnership with Morning Pointe at Happy Valley Assisted Living & Memory Care. More than 50 runners and walkers participated in the festive 5K and 1-Mile Dash, enjoying a crisp morning, scenic farm views, and a joyful start to the season.
Hosted at Happy Valley Farms, the event combined holiday cheer with meaningful impact. Proceeds benefited the Morning Pointe Foundation, which provides scholarships in nursing, culinary, social work, and therapy fields—supporting students across the Southeast, including those attending partner school Dalton State College.
“This event captures everything the Foundation stands for—community, generosity, and investing in the future,” said Miranda Perez, Executive Director of the Morning Pointe Foundation. “Seeing people come together during the holidays to support students pursuing meaningful careers is incredibly inspiring, and the Santa Shuffle continues to grow because of that shared heart.”
Participants raced along a picturesque course through the farm, complete with wide-open views and the occasional horse cameo, creating a unique and memorable race experience for runners of all ages and abilities.
“It was truly special to watch our campus, partners, and community come together in such a joyful way,” said Alisha Landes, Executive Director of Happy Valley Assisted Living & Memory Care. “From the runners to the volunteers and spectators, everyone played a role in making the Santa Shuffle a meaningful and memorable experience.”
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
Beyond the race itself, attendees enjoyed several festive highlights, including a special appearance from Santa and a popular Hot Cocoa Bar prepared by Food Service Director Brittney Brown, which provided a warm treat for runners and spectators alike.
The Morning Pointe Foundation extends special thanks to the Chattanooga Track Club for ensuring smooth race operations through professional timing and on-site support. Additional gratitude goes to Aphix, the event’s largest sponsor, along with Happy Valley Farms, Tapestry Hospice, Lavender Lime Quilts, The Refuge, and Horizon Advisors for their generous support of this growing holiday tradition.
The Foundation thanks everyone who ran, walked, volunteered, sponsored, or cheered along the course. Plans are already underway to build on the success of this year’s Santa Shuffle and continue growing the event in the years ahead.
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Morning Pointe Senior Living was founded in 1997 by Tennessee healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow. The company operates 42 assisted living, personal care, and Alzheimer’s memory care communities across five southeastern states.
