More than $2 Million Raised for The Lusk Center
April 23, 2014
Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro (HPCG) is pleased to announce that it now has cash and pledges totaling $2.18 million from 35 individuals, families, foundations and businesses for its new caregiving education and administrative center that will be named after hospice pioneer John Alexander Lusk, III, MD.
“The early response to our campaign has been impressive and inspiring,” said Patrick Wright, a Greensboro physician and HPCG board chair. “I am especially pleased with our board of directors who have all personally given to this important and strategic project. The Lusk Center will be the transformative catalyst that allows HPCG to meet immediate needs and also provides for future expansion.”
Staff members have been working with a volunteer task force since October to raise funds for the project, and the group has been encouraged by the initial response.
“On many occasions in the past, the community has worked together to support the efforts of HPCG as its needs and programs have changed to meet the community’s needs,” said Dennis Barry, retired president and CEO of Cone Health and HPCG campaign volunteer. “Today we face another opportunity for the community’s support. Clearly, Hospice’s current campus does not meet their total needs as they have outgrown the capacity of their existing facilities. Their plan is solid and will meet the community’s needs for some years to come. I totally support their plan and look forward to its completion.”
The following list represents all donors who have made pledges to date:
Terry Akin and Barbara Steslow
Anonymous (2)
Bridgewater Foundation
Joe Bryan, Jr.
Noel and Beth Burt
Allan R. Cannon
Louis DeJoy and Aldona Z. Wos Family Foundation
First Citizens Bank
Eva Jane Gorrell
Pam and Tab Haigler
R. Ross Harris
Haywood and Cathy Ingram
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. James
Ron Johnson and Bill Roane
Clarence Jones
Kim and Lisa Ketchum
Ann and Brokie Lineweaver
Marilyn Feuchs-Marker and David Marker
Sandy and Frank Mascia
Bonnie and Dan McAlister
Madeline and Everette Mills
Judy and Tom Mincher
Donna and Bob Newton
Tim and Carolynn Rice
Larry and Debbie Roland
Jerry and Marnie Ruskin
Paul J. Russ and Lynn Wooten
Phyllis, Stephen, Joy, Marc and Robbie Shavitz
Brad and Susan Shumaker
Patricia and Gordon Soenksen
Southeast Fuels, Inc.
Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation
VF Foundation
Youland and Al Williams
Beverly and Patrick Wright
Construction workers broke ground in January on the new center across the street from its existing campus on Summit Avenue. The HPCG Board of Directors approved the naming honor to celebrate Lusk’s pioneering role in hospice care locally and for his passion for life-long learning.
Teague, Freyaldenhoven & Freyaldenhoven Architects and Planners of Greensboro designed the 15,000-square-foot center. Lomax Construction has been awarded the contract for construction. The project, including the land, will cost between $3.75 to $4 million.
Over the past decade, the average number of patients HPCG serves on any given day has more than doubled – from 170 to 350 patients. “This dramatic growth required a 62.2 percent increase in our staffing,” said Patricia Soenksen, president and CEO of HPCG. “The majority of this growth has occurred by expanding hospice care to residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.”
As a result, HPCG’s workspace is overcrowded, educational and meeting space is severely limited and the current campus does not allow for additional expansion. The Lusk Center will allow HPCG to relocate staff from overcrowded workspace and bring its long-term care hospice teams, currently in leased space, back to the main campus. Most importantly, the educational portion of the building will allow HPCG to resume offering community outreach and professional education. These crucial activities, essential to HPCG’s mission, have been curtailed in recent years because of severe space limitations.
HPCG staff and volunteers are encouraged by the number of individuals who have expressed an interest in making a pledge. Gifts and pledges over three to five years are being accepted for the project. If interested, please contact the office of resource development at 336.621.2500.
HPCG, a nonprofit organization serving Guilford County and surrounding areas for more than 33 years, is situated on an eight-acre campus at 2500 Summit Avenue. HPCG provides physical, emotional and spiritual support for children and adults faced with a life-limiting illness, as well as their caregivers and families. For more information, contact HPCG at 336.621.2500 or visit www.hospicegso.org.
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