Former coach receives honor
Published 2:39 pm Friday, April 1, 2016
By TAYLOR FORTH
CORDELE — Each year the entire PruittHealth Corporation participates in the Committed to Caring Challenge. This project is designed to focus on improving the quality of life for patients. This year PruittHealth has partnered with Second Wind Dreams, an international non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of the elderly through the fulfillment of dreams.
With the help of the Crisp County community, PruittHealth Hospice was able to fulfill the dream of Mrs. Faye Bass-Perry. Mrs. Perry often spoke of what she recalled as the “best time of her life” when she and her late husband, Billy Bass, coached little league together. When asked what her idea of a perfect day would be, she responded “to be back on that little league field with my boys”. The employees of PruittHealth Hospice immediately began the plan to give Mrs. Perry her day. With the help of the Crisp County Recreation Department, Sherriff Billy Hancock and a former player of Mrs. Perry’s, County commissioner, Zach Wade, Mrs. Perry’s dream of returning to the little league field was made possible. Mrs. Perry was an integral part of the 8 and under little league baseball game for the Gators versus the Tigers. As both teams lined the field, Mrs. Perry was asked to start the game by throwing the first pitch of the little league game while wearing her very own personalized jersey. Mrs. Perry was thrilled to see County Commissioner, Zach Wade, waiting behind home plate to catch her first pitch. She was presented with signed baseballs from each team and was presented with a Sherriff’s office baseball cap and a lifetime achievement award.
Mrs. Perry was able to share her thoughts over the microphone and with tears of joy said, “Billy would be so proud.” After the game, the players and their parents were treated with pizza and a goody bag to show our appreciation for their help in achieving Mrs. Perry’s dream.