Hospital fundraiser promotes community health and fitness
Golf balls and tennis rackets may improve the health of the Mississippi Delta, a place where large numbers of residents suffer from heart-related illnesses.
Or that is the hope of Sara Deason, director of the North Sunflower Medical Foundation, the philanthropic arm of North Sunflower Medical Center in Ruleville, as the organization prepares for Birdies and Backhands, a fundraising event being held at the Indianola Country Club on Aug. 2.
Proceeds from the golf and tennis tournament will go to fund a wellness center on the campus of the hospital, a facility that is billed to provide a wide range of affordable health services, lifestyle training and access to exercise to patients and the general public.
"When we were thinking of fundraising for the wellness center, we knew that the event needed to be something that tied into our mission, which is to improve the health of the Delta," said Deason. "With an athletic tournament, we think that it promotes a healthy lifestyle and exercise."
The event will feature golf two-man golf scramble, teams to be flighted after the first nine holes.
A three-match guarantee is featured in the tennis tournament, with eight game pro sets to be played at levels 2.5-3.0, 3.1 and above.
Event Coordinator Elise Jenkins explained that the foundation hopes that Birdies and Backhands receives support from the surrounding community, as the area North Suflower Medical Center serves suffers from the highest rates of heart disease in the state.
"The idea behind Birdies and Backhands was to have an event that really supports our mission and allows us to fulfill that role to the best of our ability," said Jenkins.
"The wellness center will house a large area to serve as a place for community and employee education," said Deason. "There will also be a fitness facility that will be used by patients, but where the community can have access to exercise for a reasonable price.
"Our state sees a high rate of obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol," she continued. "Thirty percent of the people who would be served by the community center have never had their cholesterol checked. The thing is that these disparities are preventable with the correct resources."
The foundation director said plans will also feature a multi-purpose center that can be used to play tennis, basketball and other sports.
"A surgical suite for outpatient procedures may also be housed in the center," said Deason. "We are still in the process of finalizing the plans for the project."
Along with athletic events, Birdies and Backhands will also feature dinner, silent auction and live entertainment after the sporting events.
"The silent auction is really shaping up well and we will have a large variety of items that will be attractive to both men and women," said Jenkins.
Registration for the golf tournament will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start to begin the competition at 8:30 a.m.
To enter the 27-hole, two-man scramble, a fee of $50 per person, $100 per team is required.
For more information on the golf tournament, contact Golf Chair Rori E. Herbison at 662-721-2210.
Registration for the tennis tournament will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the first round beginning at 9 a.m.
A fee of $35 is required to enter the three-match guarantee tournament.
For information on the tournament, contact Tennis Chair Yvette McPherson at 662- 822-5438.
A social hour will begin at 6:30 p.m. to be followed by dinner and auction. Dinner tickets can be purchased for $35 per person.
Landry Barbieri
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