It’s time to lace up your sneakers, don your holiday best, and get ready for some festive fun this weekend! The Santa Shuffle 5K and Mile Dash will take place this Sunday, Dec. 15, in Walker County, Georgia, offering participants a chance to embrace the holiday spirit while supporting local scholarships and enjoying a scenic run.
The inaugural event begins at 8 a.m. at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care, located at 2989 Happy Valley Road in Rossville. Organized as a fundraiser for the Morning Pointe Foundation, the race will benefit programs that provide caregiver support, educational awareness and scholarships for nursing and other healthcare-related fields. Local partner schools include Dalton State College, the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and Chattanooga State Community College.
Participants in the 5K will traverse a picturesque route that includes historic Happy Valley Farms and Ridgeland High School. Holiday costumes are encouraged to add to the festive atmosphere. The 5K registration fee is $30, and medals will be awarded to the top three male and female runners.
For a shorter distance, participants can opt for the One-Mile Dash, which is available for $15.
How to Participate
Registration is open at register.chronotrack.com/r/83617. A limited number of exclusive swag materials are left for early registrants. Hot cocoa and cider will be available on-site the day of the event to keep everyone warm and energized.
“This event is a wonderful way to bring the community together during the holiday season,” said Kristen Weiz, community relations director at Morning Pointe at Happy Valley. “We’re excited to see families, friends and neighbors join us in supporting a great cause while having fun!”
In addition to the race, Morning Pointe at Happy Valley will host a Chef-Prepared Pasta Dinner on Saturday evening, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. for $20 per person. Participation in the race is not required to attend the dinner.
About the Cause and Morning Pointe
Proceeds from the Santa Shuffle and the pasta dinner will go to the Morning Pointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the philanthropic arm of Morning Pointe Senior Living. The Foundation was established in 2014 by senior healthcare entrepreneurs Greg A. Vital and J. Franklin Farrow to make a lasting impact through education and support programs.
This year’s sponsors include Gold Sponsor Happy Valley Farms, Silver Sponsor Hearth Hospice, and Bronze Sponsor APHIX. For more information, please contact Kristen Weiz at 762-219-7358.
Morning Pointe at Happy Valley opened in 2023. The community provides assisted living and memory care services with nursing, clinical and care staff available 24 hours a day; a full life enrichment program; on-site therapy services; and specialized memory care programs such as the Best Friends™ Approach and Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care. The community’s dedication to personalized, meaningful care makes it a leader in senior living in Georgia.
Morning Pointe Senior Living operates 40 communities across five southeastern states, including two in Georgia: Morning Pointe at Happy Valley and Morning Pointe of Calhoun. To learn more about Morning Pointe and the services offered, visit MorningPointe.com. For more information about the Morning Pointe Foundation, visit MorningPointeFoundation.com.
