Kitty Askins is part of 3HC, or Home Health and Hospice,
operating in the county for more than 26 years. Kitty Askins opened in 1995 as
an inpatient facility with six beds, expanding to double that in 1997.
The needs continue to exceed capacity, though. With a
98.7 percent occupancy rate, it has become the most utilized facility in North
Carolina, officials say.
"In 2006, we had 199 patients on the waiting list at
Kitty but were denied admission because no beds were available," said April
Brantham, community development coordinator of 3HC.
In May of this year, 3HC received state approval to
develop six additional residential and six additional acute beds, for a total of
12 beds. Plans for the expanded facility include bedrooms with wider doors to
allow wheel bed accessibility onto the private patios, a new chapel and solace
room, and a larger family gathering space.
This year's fundraising push will be the Mardi Gras
celebration Feb. 23. Doors open at 5:30 for the silent auction, with the reverse
drawing to start at 7:15 p.m. Dinner will be between the two events, with a
dance to follow.
Tickets are $100 per couple.
There is a new facet to this year's event, said Kathy
Lies, co-president of the advisory board and on the 3HC executive board --
selection of a king and queen.
There are currently five couples competing for king and
queen -- Mayor Al King and his wife, Juanita; Jill and Sean Nielson; Geoff and
Leigh Hulse; Ben Strickland, Jr. and his fiancee Adrienne Parker; and Mount Olive Mayor Ray McDonald and his wife Norma. Others are
also welcome to enter, Mrs. Lies said. Chosen by votes of $1 each, which can be
submitted at 3HC or by mailing a check to the office, winners will receive a
portrait by Windy Lampson valued at $900.
For information or to make a donation, call Ms. Brantham
at 735-1387, ext. 1072, or mail them to April Brantham or Susan Malewich, 2402
Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, N.C. 27530.
