On May 2nd, the Heroes First Foundation, an organization committed to supporting those who have selflessly served our nation, hosted its annual golf tournament at Chateau Elan. The event drew an impressive 280 golfers and raised funds for three impactful organizations: Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program, Folds of Honor Georgia, and Paws4Vets, which was supported through the Carol Mitchell Scholarship Fund.

This year, $15,000 was donated to the Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program, $40,000 to Folds of Honor Georgia, and $50,000 to Paws4Vets in memory of Carol Mitchell. Carol, a long-time Chateau Elan resident alongside her husband Doug, was deeply involved with Paws4Vets for over 17 years. She served as a veterans advocate for at least a decade before her passing on February 9, 2024. While the Heroes First Foundation has supported Paws4Vets for 15 years—donating more than 1.5 million dollars—this year's gift held deeper meaning as it honored Carol's legacy and lifelong dedication to the cause.

Paws4Vets is known for its work in breeding, training, and placing support dogs with veterans and first responders who face the challenges of PTSD and related conditions. For Doug and Carol, the organization’s mission is deeply personal. Their son, a two-time Iraq veteran, returned home with severe PTSD. They credit Paws4Vets and his dedicated service dog, Tazie, with saving his life. At this year’s tournament, many veterans and their service dogs were in attendance, serving as a moving testament to the life-changing impact of this program.

Support for the event came from several Chateau Elan residents, including Greg Paugh with Charity Steel, who participated as both a sponsor and golfer. Additional local supporters and residents included Bob Kurgan, Wally Scherer, Jim Cook, Ray Miller, Dan Everitt, and Jim Kreinbrink. Doug Mitchell expressed his deep gratitude to those involved, saying, “Without the support and generosity of our sponsors and the support of our local community, none of this would have been possible.”

As Heroes First Foundation continues its vital work, this year’s tournament stood out not only for its fundraising success but for the personal connections and stories it uplifted. Through community involvement and steadfast commitment, the foundation and its partners are helping to heal wounds, restore hope, and change lives—one round of golf at a time.