By EMILY GILMORE
The Free Lance-Star

Date published: 9/12/2002

THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Some readers may remember Hospice Support Care's "Hospice-tality" fund-raiser as a one-day event at Mullins Farm featuring children's attractions and an auction. But this year the party will expand into two events over two days.

The Hospice-tality 2002 Children's Festival will take place Saturday, from 11 a.m to 5 p.m at Elks Lodge 875 on routes 2 and 17 near Shannon Airport. The festival is the second of the two events that will make up the seventh Hospice-tality

An art show, auction and reception will take place Friday, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., also at the Elks Lodge.

Tickets to the auction are $15 and may also be used for admittance to the children's festival the next day. The festival alone is free for children under 12 and $10 for adults and children over 12.

Children's activities will include gold panning and an archaeological dig. Youngsters may play a variety of games for prizes.

They can even try out the John Wayne obstacle course manned by members of the Marine Corps.

A nail salon will be on hand to provide children's manicures. And hair stylists will give free cuts to those interested in donating their 10-inch ponytails to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to children who have lost their hair for medical reasons.

Kids may take rides on a barrel train as well as wagons pulled by Clydesdale horses. Hayrides will also be available. Other attractions will include antique car, fire truck and train exhibits. The Elks will sponsor a drug awareness booth and will sell refreshments including pork barbecue.

Other activities planned for Saturday are face painting and a moon bounce. The event will feature live entertainment and a live radio broadcast from noon to 3 p.m.

The art show and children's festival will be staffed by 150 to 200 volunteers from school groups, church groups, people whose families have used HSC's services, and other community members.

The mission of HSC is "to love and serve the dying and bereaved." It provides nonmedical support to terminally ill patients, their families and those in the community who are coping with grief. Services include providing trained volunteers to visit and assist patients and caregivers, child and adult bereavement programs, community outreach, and Harbor House, a guest home for the terminally ill.

All proceeds from Hospice-tality 2002 will go to funding HSC's programs and services, which are offered to Fredericksburg and the surrounding area free of charge. A Rappahannock United Way agency, HSC does not receive federal or state funding and must rely on grants, memorial contributions and special events like this one.

But the event is not just a fund-raiser, said Anjela Eubank, HSC's public relations manager.

It also serves "to build awareness of all our programs and services," she said.

Date published: 9/12/2002