Annual Mardi Gras Gala to raise money for Kitty Askins and 3HC
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 28, 2016 10:04 AM
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Seven couples are vying for the title of king and queen of the 10th annual Mardi Gras Gala. From left, Brad and Lynn West, Tony and Lori Martin, April Parrish, Stephanie and Michael Taylor and Donna and Neal Hill. Absent were Richard and Lauren Gower, Gene Parrish and Billy and Jennifer Strickland.
The 10th annual Mardi Gras Gala, the 3HC and Kitty Askins Hospice Center's annual fundraiser, is underway with seven couples vying for the title of king and queen.
The gala, which also includes a $5,000 grand prize in the reverse drawing, silent auction, a buffet dinner and dancing, will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at Walnut Creek Country Club. Doors open at 5:30, with reverse drawing after dinner, at 7 p.m.
Tickets are currently on sale, at $100 a couple, with only 300 being sold, organizers said. They can be purchased at 3HC and Kitty Askins.
The Mardi Gras King and Queen portion of the event has grown tremendously over the years, said April Brantham, director of community development for 3HC, or home, health and hospice, and Kitty Askins.
"Last year, six couples participated, raising over $66,000," she said. "This year seven couples are participating in the royal quest to be crowned, with a goal of raising $80,000."
For the honor, they are challenged to raise the most money for Kitty Askins Hospice Center and the hospice programs of 3HC.
This year's couples include the following:
*Richard and Lauren Gower, owners of Zaxby's of Goldsboro
*Neal and Donna Hill, owners of J & A Sludge and Mrs. Hill works at Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation
*Tony and Lori Martin, owners of Beautancus Tree Farm. Martin also owns Tony Martin Salon in Mount Olive and is president of the Mount Olive Friends of the Parks, and his wife works in the financial aid office at the University of Mount Olive.
*Gene and April Parrish: He is a process engineer at DuPont in Kinston and she is owner and artistic director of Gotta Dance! School of Performing Arts in LaGrange.
*Billy and Jennifer Strickland: He is the owner/senior partner at Strickland Agner and Associates and she is a member of the Wayne County Board of Education.
*Michael and Stephanie Taylor: He is athletic director at Wayne Country Day School and his wife works at BB&T in credit solutions management.
*Brad and Lynn West, owners of West Family Farms in Fremont.
Donations can be made in several ways -- including online at www.3hc.org under the "Make a Donation" tab, with checks payable to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, mailed to 3HC at 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, N.C. 27534.
All proceeds from the gala, including the king and queen fundraiser, will support programs at both 3HC and Kitty Askins, including the following.
Wings Camp for Grieving Children is a weekend campaign experience for children from eight to 16, who have experienced the loss of a loved one.
The Butterfly Wings program is a community effort to grant a final wish or dream to hospice patients. It has sponsored special vacation trips and visits to hometowns and was formerly known as the Angel Foundation.
The "We Honor Veterans Program" focused on the unique end-of-life needs experienced by military veterans and their families, and recognized their service.
Indigent care helps members of the community unable to pay for home health and hospice services.
For more about the couples and fundraisers to support hospice in Wayne County, visit the 3HC Facebook page.