Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1479694
Thursday, September 22-September 28, 2022 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 5 Rita Burch, BSW, MBA, CFRE was honored September 15 at a retirement reception at the Carolina Event and Conference Center in Forest City. Burch was recognized for her almost 34-year career as CEO of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills. Dr. John Mark Bennett, former Hospice Board President, presented Burch with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from Governor Roy Cooper. Since 1963, North Carolina's governors have reserved their highest honor, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, for persons who have made signifi cant contributions to their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments. Pat Keeter, former Hospice Board President and member of the Carolina Foothills Foundation, stated, "Rita accepted the Hospice CEO role with a total of about 59 patients having been served in 1988. Rita Burch took the small organization with few paid staff and a volunteer, a "volunteer" coordinator, and she developed it into a respected healthcare entity serving more than 350 hospice and palliative care patients a year in their homes, facilities, and the inpatient unit. Thousands have been cared for since she took the helm in the late 80s. Rita was instrumental in conducting three capital campaigns to construct the facilities we utilize today beginning in 1995 and concluding in 2009. She developed many programs and services that are still active today, and she became known in North and South Carolina as a leader in the hospice and palliative care industry. Hospice leaders from all over the world have visited these facilities in Forest City and asked for Rita's guidance in their own communities." Rita is a Rutherford County native, who worked at Smith's Drugstore while attending East High School. She received a bachelor's degree in social work from Western Carolina University, a master's degree in business from Gardner Webb University, and then later, became one of the fi rst recipients of the Certifi ed Fundraising Executive designation in North Carolina. She has been a national speaker several times, received many awards during the years for her work as CEO of Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, and served on community and state boards. The hospice and palliative care programs through Hospice of the Carolina Foothills were sold to Agape Care Group in May, and from that sale, the Carolina Foothills Foundation was formed. Rita will serve as CEO of that Foundation with primary emphasis on eldercare with some grants to be designated for youth development and wellness. An eldercare agency was formed through the Foundation, as well, that will be led by Executive Director Heidi Owen who served as Hospice of the Carolina Foothills CEO after Rita's retirement. The Carolina Foothills Board of Directors consist of former HOCF board members, Bob Keith, Chair; Pat Keeter, Vice Chair; Linda Edgerton, Secretary; Jackie Hampton, Treasurer; and Doris Clark, Board Member. The Carolina Event and Conference Center and Resale Shop on Oak Street will continue to operate under the Foundation. Prior to receiving the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, Rita stated, "We had our time serving hospice and palliative care patients, and I will forever be grateful for this journey and indebted to all the employees, staff, volunteers, and supporters who have been a part of our operation. We can continue to serve patients in a different way through our foundation. Once again, we have the opportunity to serve the community in a different way. We have a great challenge before us to meet needs not currently being met as we did more than three decades ago, and I hope you will accept the challenge to make the Carolina Foothills Foundation a blessing for Rutherford and Polk Counties." Former Hospice CEO Receives Order of the Long Leaf Pine Article Provided By: Heidi Owen Rita Burch The "Grits for a Cause" drawing to benefi t the Rutherford County Schools Backpack program was held and the winners have been announced. Rob Turner, David Best, Janet Rollings, Marc Stowe, and Stephen Lloyd were winners and each received a canister of Lakeside Mills grits, signed by one of the performers at the Earl Scruggs Festival held recently at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. Due to the generosity of Lakeside Mills in Spindale, the RCS Backpack received over $500 in donations to the program through the drawing and sale of grits, which were donated by the King family. "We are incredibly thankful for the heart this family has for our food-insecure children and their commitment to making a difference," said a Backpack Program spokesperson. Grits drawing raises $500 for backpack program Article Provided By: Jean Gordon small town friendly BIG time results 828-248-1408 828-248-1408 Only Only $ 65 65 00 00 1000 full 1000 full COLOR! business business cards cards + tax + tax