AUBURN #- It takes a special kind of person to perform hospice care.

Dealing with patients in the twilight of their lives, and helping other family members and loved ones cope with impending loss, is a task only a few people can successfully accomplish.

A dinner was held in Auburn Saturday to help support the local hospice and the people the agency cares for.

Theresa Kenny Kline, executive director of the Hospice of the Finger Lakes, was on hand with other staff members and more than 200 guests for the third annual Hospice benefit dinner at the Knights of Columbus in Auburn.

The fundraiser was organized by Auburnians Anthony Lupo and Connie Callcot, two family members of past hospice patients, and included raffle and a ziti dinner prepared by Lupo's catering service, a business he operates with his son.

“I started doing (the benefit) for my wife (Joanne Lupo) and my brother-in-law Frankie (Catalfano),” Lupo said. The benefit was held on Saturday, Callcot added, because Oct. 28 was the 15th anniversary of the death of her father, Tom Reilley.

“Hospice is such a wonderful organization,” Callcot said, and Lupo added, “They deserve everything they get and more.”

More than 130 pre-sale tickets were purchased at the local hospice office, the Knights of Columbus and Balloon's Restaurant, and organizers expected more than 200 people to attend altogether.

“The funds raised here today will be used for patient services,” Kline said during the benefit. Hospice of the Finger Lakes doesn't operate its own facility, but provides services to more than 125 patients annually at Auburn Memorial Hospital and Mercy Rehabilitation Center, among other places, she said.

Patients can also receive home care if they choose to remain at their residence, she said.