Carolina Caring

10/10/2025

Big wins, bright lights, and even bigger hearts! On October 8th, Carolina Caring attended Modern Healthcare’s “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” Awards Gala in Nashville, TN.

And Carolina Caring was recognized with a "Best Places To Work" award for the 7th year in a row!

This prestigious program brings together healthcare organizations from across the nation to celebrate going above and beyond in creating outstanding workplace cultures.

Read more about this national achievement on our blog: https://www.carolinacaring.org/news/carolina-caring-attends-modern-healthcares-prestigious-best-places-to-work-in-healthcare-awards-gala/

Special thanks to Whitney Williams, HR Onboarder/Recruiter, and Lynn Killian, CNA, CHPNA, Carolina Caring for representing our organization at the gala.

10/09/2025

In case you missed it:
Our unforgettable field trip is featured on the news!

Hear from hospice patient Deborah, her daughter, and Carolina Caring social worker Carley as they share more stories from this heartwarming day.

Watch the video below and visit our blog to read the full article:
https://www.carolinacaring.org/news/carolina-caring-foundation-helps-hospice-patient-fulfill-dream-at-north-carolina-zoo/

Queen City News Carolina Caring Foundation North Carolina Zoo

https://www.qcnews.com/video/cherryville-hospice-patient-fulfills-lifelong-dream-of-feeding-a-giraffe/11143723

A woman with end-stage heart failure was granted her wish to feed a giraffe at the North Carolina Zoo, surrounded by her family and nursing staff.

10/06/2025

When one of our patients couldn’t make it to the ocean, an incredible brought the beach to her.

After sharing stories and sweet messages through the volunteer Card Ministry, this VolunTeen discovered that her patient loved traveling to the beach, going on seashell hunts, and stopping by the pier for corn dogs and Coke. However, this patient received hospice care and was unable to travel to the beach this summer.

While on vacation, the VolunTeen decided to gather sand and shells in a box so that her patient could enjoy a hunt one more time. She even worked with the hospice team to host a beach-themed birthday party, complete with ocean gifts and the patient’s favorite snack: corn dogs.

The patient’s joy said it all - reminding us that anyone can help create lasting memories for those in our care.

Do you want to make a difference as a volunteer? Join the Volunteer Program today or learn about opportunities at Carolina Caring by visiting our website, carolinacaring.org/volunteer/.

10/03/2025

Find Connection & Healing this October💚

The Center for Grief and Healing at Carolina Caring is offering free, in-person groups designed to bring comfort, creativity, and to those who have experienced .

Felting Class
Thursday, October 16th | 1:00–3:00 PM
Carolina Caring Keystone Overlook, 3975 Robinson Rd, Newton, NC
Enjoy time outdoors (weather permitting) while learning or refining the art of transforming wool into a beautiful fabric. No registration required.

Game Night
Friday, October 17th | 5:00 PM
Carolina Caring Catawba Valley Hospice House, 3975 Robinson Rd, Newton, NC
Bring your favorite board game or cards for a fun evening of connection and pizza with others who are on the healing journey. Please register by Wednesday, October 15th.

These gatherings provide a safe and welcoming space to share, connect, and together. Learn more and register at carolinacaring.org/support/.

10/02/2025

In September, Carolina Caring’s Scott Lofland and Maria Reese joined over 40 community leaders, advocates, and service providers for a workshop on policy updates and strategy hosted by and .

The timing could not have been better.

As of October 1, 2025, North Carolina’s Medicaid cuts took effect, impacting reimbursement rates for our most vulnerable patients: medically fragile children, veterans, and low-income populations.

Networks like Healthy Meck and North Meck Connect are proof of the power of partnerships to drive awareness and resilience. Together, we explored:

▪Upcoming reductions, SNAP eligibility changes, and funding rescissions
▪How under-resourced communities will be disproportionately affected by these
cuts
▪Ways to more effectively, collectively, and powerfully

Now is the time to act. Whether it’s writing a letter to legislators or fostering community dialogue, .

For more information on legislation, impacts on patients in your community, and how you can make a difference, visit carolinacaring.org/public-policy/.

10/01/2025

October is - in the United States, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, making access to quality care more important than ever.

Carolina Caring is proud to join this fight by sharing resources and education about care. We were honored to volunteer at the Concrete Rose Breast Cancer Awareness Gala, presented by the Foundation, Inc., to show support for the attendees thriving and surviving the breast cancer journey.

Thank you to all who participated with us!

09/29/2025

Carolina Caring invites you to join us on Thursday, October 9th from 4:00-6:00p.m. at the Robin Johnson House as we celebrate one year of our partnership with CaroMont Health!

This evening features a special , live music, opportunities, light refreshments, and guided tours of the Robin Johnson House. We look forward to welcoming the and sharing how Carolina Caring continues to expand specialized care services for children and adults across .

Hosted by Carolina Caring, the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Gaston Business Association.

Find more details about the celebration at: https://www.carolinacaring.org/news/ribbon-cutting-celebration-one-year-anniversary-of-gaston-hospice-joining-carolina-caring/

09/26/2025

A dream decades in the making finally came true.

For as long as she can remember, giraffes have held a special place in Deborah's heart. She has filled her home with giraffe blankets, jewelry, artwork, and other little reminders of Africa's tallest wonder.

One of Deborah's lifelong goals has been to meet a giraffe in real life, yet she never had the opportunity to do so.

Thanks to her Carolina Caring hospice team, the Carolina Caring Foundation, and the generosity of community donors, Deborah and her entire family traveled to the . Together, they encountered a once-in-a-lifetime moment: feeding a giraffe face-to-face.

What unfolded on the feeding deck was more than a wish fulfilled; it was a memory etched forever in the hearts of her loved ones.

Read the full story of Deborah’s unforgettable day, the power of hospice, and how the Carolina Caring Foundation Life Enrichment Fund makes moments like this possible: https://www.carolinacaring.org/news/carolina-caring-foundation-helps-hospice-patient-fulfill-dream-at-north-carolina-zoo/

09/23/2025

Carolina Caring was honored to be a Silver Sponsor at this year’s Senior Information Resources, Inc. Expo in Hickory—an event we’ve participated in for nearly a decade.

The Expo connects seniors, caregivers, and their families with vital and resources available in Hickory, Newton, Conover, Catawba, and beyond.

Special thank you to Beth Schlosser, Development Coordinator Special Events, Carolina Caring Foundation, for planning this event and to Julie Packer, Director of Community Engagement, Carolina Caring for sharing insights on our new Program and services during the day's breakout session!

We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue empowering and supporting adults in our community through events like these.

09/22/2025

Grief can affect us in many ways and can be especially difficult to navigate as the seasons change. This October, we invite you to share in hope and healing by joining our professionally-led community groups:

Nurturing Yourself
Tuesday, October 7th | 3:00-4:30pm
Carolina Caring – 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC
Learn about the 5 aspects of yourself that grief most commonly affects and cultivate ideas for nurturing these aspects as you heal. Register by September 30th.

Disenfranchised Grief Group
Thursdays in October (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd) | 4:00-5:00pm
Virtual
Grief isn’t always acknowledged, validated, or supported by society. This group offers guided discussions and opportunities to share your stories with others who walk similar paths. Register by September 29th.

Our mission is to support YOU. Register online at carolinacaring.org/support/ or call 828.466.0466.

09/19/2025

Carolina Caring is on Capitol Hill!

Dana Killian, President & CEO, and Scott Lofland, Sr. Vice President, Strategic Development attended the National Partnership for Healthcare & Hospice Innovation’s Flagship Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. this week.

Our team joined nonprofits and federal leaders from across the country to learn about upcoming shifts, quality measures, and care delivery .

Killian and Lofland also met with lawmakers to share why protecting and advancing hospice and palliative care matters so deeply to patients, families, and communities nationwide.

We are honored to have a voice in the future of delivery. To learn more about Carolina Caring’s advocacy efforts and our ongoing commitment to provide compassionate care for patients facing , visit carolinacaring.org/public-policy/.

09/17/2025

Last Thursday, September 11th, Carolina Caring joined FeedNC at their bimonthly Veteran's Farmer’s Market.

Our team members Cindy Stamey, Director of Veteran Relations, and Tim Sullivan, Director of Professional Relations, set up a resource table to share the services Carolina Caring offers to Veterans in need of compassionate care.

Feed NC’s mission aligns closely with our commitment to providing expert care and resources to Veterans, especially those who face serious illness. Learn more about the support services Carolina Caring provides to our nation's heroes by visiting carolinacaring.org/veteranscare/