ATHENS, Tenn. — November 21, 2025 — Morning Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care communities across the Tennessee Valley are celebrating the Thanksgiving season with a focus on gratitude, connection, and unity. Residents at Morning Pointe of Athens have already enjoyed a warm start to the holidays through festive meals, family gatherings, and the creation of a “Thankful Tree” inside the community.
The Thankful Tree features handwritten leaves from residents sharing the people, memories, and moments they are grateful for. Morning Pointe is inviting neighbors, families, volunteers, and local organizations to stop by and add their own leaf of thanks — helping the tree grow as a shared expression of community gratitude.
“Volunteers play a huge role in the joy our residents experience this time of year,” said Amanda Yelenick, Vice President of Life Enrichment for Morning Pointe Senior Living. “What’s really special is that many groups visit for the first time around the holidays — choirs, carolers, classrooms doing service projects, scout troops making cards, church groups dropping off donations, pet visitors, musicians, artists, and students earning community-service hours. Once they come, they usually fall in love with the residents and end up returning, either as a group or individually. Those relationships truly brighten the season for everyone.”
The spirit of the season is already in full swing in Athens, where residents, families, and volunteers are adding joy and color to the halls.
“This season brings out the very best in our community,” said Liz Densmore, Life Enrichment Director at Morning Pointe of Athens. “Once the Thankful Tree goes up, you can feel the shift — families linger longer, residents share more stories, and volunteers bring an energy that lifts everyone’s spirits. It’s a beautiful reminder of how much joy comes from simply showing up for one another.”
Morning Pointe encourages choirs, youth groups, classrooms, musicians, service clubs, church groups, and volunteers of all ages to join in bringing holiday warmth, creativity, and connection to residents.
For more information or to schedule a visit with your group, please contact:
Morning Pointe of Athens – Assisted Living & Memory Care
1025 Crestway Drive
Athens, TN 37303
Phone: (423) 745-0608
To learn more about volunteering at any Morning Pointe community, visit: https://bit.ly/morningpointe-volunteer
About Morning Pointe Senior Living
Founded in 1997 by Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, Morning Pointe Senior Living operates 42 assisted living and Alzheimer’s memory care communities across five southeastern states. In the Tennessee Valley, communities are located in Athens, Chattanooga, East Hamilton, Collegedale, Hixson, and Walker County, Georgia.
