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Second Annual Charity Tennis Tournament to Benefit Local Caregivers Set for Aug. 4

Deer Valley Racquet Club in Boone is gearing up for another charity tennis tournament to benefit High Country Caregiver Foundation. They invite players and spectators to join them on Saturday, August 4, for the big event. Pictured with Deer Valley’s tennis pro, Scott Handback, are the 2017 tournament champions Megan Carmody, Karen Ginn and Amanda Berry.

By Sherrie Norris

The Second Annual Charity Tennis Tournament to benefit the High Country Caregiver Foundation will be held Saturday, Aug. 4 at Deer Valley Racquet Club in Boone.

The event begins with tournament matches starting at 9 a.m. followed by an exhibition match at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Entry fees are $75 per player, spectator tickets are $50, with each one including dinner with beverage of choice.

The HCCGF is a non-profit organization passionate about helping family and kinship caregivers in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey Counties.

Serving these seven counties in conjunction with High Country Council of Governments, HCCGF provides support to family and kinship caregivers through numerous programs and opportunities, including, but not limited to respite vouchers, Relatives and Parents Program, Daybreak, resources, support groups and financial reimbursement.

“We are very fortunate to have such compassionate community partners as our tournament hosts to help us with our ongoing mission,” said Brenda Reece, executive director of High Country Caregiver Foundation. “We are so appreciative of all the hard work that is going into this event, and want to especially thank Amanda Berry, Candice Myers, Kay Herndon, Scott Hardback and all the fine folks at Deer Valley Racquet Club for making this possible.”

According to Reece, the caregiver foundation places primary emphasis on organizing community support, and regards partnering as a key to its success. “We realize the importance of collaborating with other agencies and organizations to better serve our community.”

Reece added, “We believe when caregivers use respite and other support services, they are better able to preserve quality in their own lives and enhance overall family life,”

“We count it an honor to be able to offer services to these families who have taken on more responsibility than they ever expected,” Reece continued. “Whether they are raising grandchildren, nieces or nephews, or caring for an adult relative in the home due to a serious illness or disability, including dementia, these selfless individuals deserve our assistance.”

It is because of the generosity of the community, through grants and fundraisers, like this upcoming tournament, as well as the recent afternoon tea at The Farm in Banner Elk, a breakfast at Shatley Springs in Ashe County, and other events, Reece said, that allows the foundation to continue to provide these much-needed and often overlooked services to those who need assistance.

High Country Caregiver Foundation strives to provide caregivers the opportunity to relax, rejuvenate, and refresh by providing them a much-needed and well-deserved break from their caregiving duties, Reece said. “Caregivers deserve the same level of compassion they provide for their loved ones, because the level of care a caregiver can provide is directly related to the level of self-care a caregiver receives.”

Sponsorship opportunities for the tournament (Gold $500, Silver $300 and Bronze $100) are still available and may be obtained by contacting Amanda Berry at amanda.berry@ridgecare.com or (828) 773-8723.

Checks for tournament participation and other donations may be made payable to High Country Caregiver Foundation, POB 3356 Boone, NC 28607.

For additional information, visit www.hccgf.org/events.