PHOENIX (April 4, 2024) – For more than a decade, residents at Sagewood, a life plan community in North Phoenix, have raised funds to financially help staff and their dependent family members pursue higher education.
In 2013, a group of residents started the Sagewood Residents’ Foundation, with 501(c)3 status, with the goal to give back to the people working and caring for them in the community. Year after year, dozens of residents donated funds to send Sagewood staff or their dependents to college or trade school.
“Each day the staff members come to Sagewood with big smiles on their faces and make it their mission to ensure the residents are well-cared for,” says Dr. Marlene Ross, immediate past president of the Sagewood Residents’ Foundation. “We have become a big family and genuinely care for all the employees at Sagewood. By providing scholarships, we help them and their families continue their education to open more career opportunities in the future.”
The program has grown significantly over the years. When the group first started, they awarded 14 scholarships to employees. In 2023, the Foundation provided scholarships to 44 individuals. While the group fundraises year-round and residents donate regularly, they also host fundraising events in order to maximize funds available.
On April 11, the Sagewood Residents’ Foundation is hosting its Second Annual Putt Fore Scholarships fundraising golf tournament to continue to build the endowment fund. The event will be hosted at Sagewood’s onsite 18-hole putting course.
There will be two golfing sessions, in the morning and afternoon, and the cost to golf is $50 for each session. The event sponsors provide a Master’s themed lunch and a happy hour celebration at the end of the tournament. Last year, the golf tournament raised $10,000 for the Sagewood Residents’ Foundation Endowment Fund in a single day. This year, residents are hoping to meet or exceed last year’s total.
“It brings the residents great joy to see students meet their educational goals,” adds Dr. Ross. “My family was not able to afford higher education and it was my brother who pushed me to go to college. Without his support and encouragement, I would not have had the amazing career and experiences I had. Now I, along with the other incredible Sagewood residents, are paying it forward to the future generation of leaders.”
Since the group’s inception, residents at Sagewood have raised more than $1.3 million dollars and provided more than 425 scholarships. The Sagewood Residents’ Foundation has funded many individuals through the completion of their 4-year degree or trade program such as culinary arts and welding.
For more information about Sagewood and the Sagewood Residents’ Foundation, visit www.sagewoodLCS.com or www.sagewoodfoundation.com
# # #
About Sagewood
Sagewood is a Life Plan Community located at 4555 E. Mayo Blvd. in Phoenix, featuring resort-like amenities including a fitness center, movie theaters, indoor and outdoor pools, 18-hole putting golf course, auditorium for multi-purpose use, formal and casual dining and health center providing assisted living, memory care support, skilled nursing and a rehabilitative therapy center. Industry leader Life Care Services and Westminster Capital are the joint-venture partners of Sagewood. For more information, visit www.SagewoodLCS.com.
Media CONTACT
Emma Wolff
LAVIDGE PR