Mardi Gras fundraiser for Kitty Askins planned
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 27, 2016 1:46 PM
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Seven couples are vying for the title of King and Queen of Mardi Gras, part of the annual fundraising effort for Kitty Askins Hospice Center. The couple generating the most money for the cause will be crowned during the Feb. 20 event. From left, Barry and Olivia Stallings, runner-up couple from last year, Steve and Gail Herring, Stephen and Rebecca Barnes, Taylor and Brandy Whitfield, Ralph and Jaime Kelly and Bob and Penny Kornegay, 2015 winners. Not pictured are Matt and Lauren Crawford and Scott and Beth Painter.
The 11th annual Mardi Gras Gala, a fundraiser for Kitty Askins Hospice Center, is slated to be held Feb. 20 at Walnut Creek Country Club.
Featuring a dinner and dancing, the evening also includes a reverse drawing with a $5,000 grand prize, silent auction and crowning of the Mardi Gras king and queen.
The king and queen portion of the event is becoming quite an event unto itself, said April Brantham, director of community involvement for 3HC and Kitty Askins.
"Last year, the couples raised over $23,000 for the cause and we know that we will beat that amount this year," she said. "All the money raised for the Mardi Gras Gala, including the king and queen fundraiser, will benefit Kitty Askins Hospice Center and the hospice programs of 3HC.
"A few of the hospice programs are indigent care, the Angel Foundation, granting a final wish for hospice patients, Wings Camp for Grieving Children, a weekend camp for kids who have lost a loved one, bereavement programs and support groups."
Kitty Askins, part of 3HC, or Home Health and Hospice, opened in 1995 as an inpatient facility with six beds. It expanded to a dozen beds in 1997. Then in 2011, it doubled its size again and currently has 24 beds with the opening of the new SECU House at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
Each year, couples from the community are chosen to participate in the contest, with the one bringing in the most money being crowned King and Queen of Mardi Gras. This year six couples are vying for the title.
*Stephen and Rebecca Barnes -- He operates Barnes Jewelers in Goldsboro and she is a music teacher at Wayne Country Day School
*Matt and Lauren Crawford, owners of Highway 55 on Wayne Memorial Drive
*Steve and Gail Herring -- He is employed by Wayne Community College and his wife is retired from Wayne County Public Schools and currently a professor at the University of Mount Olive
*Ralph and Jaime Kelly, a lineman at Tri-County Electric and a dental hygienist, respectively
*Scott and Beth Painter of Mount Olive own and operate Tarheel Produce.
*Taylor and Brandy Whitfield -- He works at Tyndall Funeral Home and she is a teacher at Spring Creek Elementary School.
Tickets for the gala are on sale for $100 per couple and can be purchased at 3HC or Kitty Askins, both on Wayne Memorial Drive.
For more information on the event, contact April Brantham at 919-735-1387 or e-mail [email protected].