WestCare Health System Graphic Artist Jennifer Banks is looking forward to the opening of the hospital system’s new “Wee Care” Childcare Center.

“I would like my son to be close by,” said Banks, who lives in Asheville and commutes to her job in Sylva.

Her son currently attends a day care in Asheville and the distance between the two prevents Banks from being able to squeeze in a few extra moments of togetherness — perhaps a quick visit over lunch, or an early pickup in the event of illness.

The Wee Care Center will be built on Skyland Drive next to the Harris Regional Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop. The plan at this time is to open in early 2008 with the ability to care for approximately 60 children.

Banks has only been employed at WestCare for a short time and consequently expects that the center may afford her the opportunity to forge new friendships with other WestCare employees who also have children. WestCare employs almost 1,000 full- and part- time employees and has a medical staff of nearly 80 physicians.

Banks hopes to one day relocate to Sylva, putting her closer to her family — Banks is from Franklin — and said that in the future she may expand her own family. The consideration of a second child makes the Wee Care Center all the more appealing.

“The other thing that’s good about it is they’re going to be open longer than other day cares,” Banks said.

The extended hours are an effort to help those at the hospital like nurses who pull 12-hour shifts.

Funds for the construction of the Wee Care Center are being directed through the WestCare Health System Foundation. The Foundation endowment is a permanent fund, which continues to grow from both gifts and earnings. Currently the Foundation has the following designated funds: Greatest Need Fund, Hospice Fund, Women and Children’s Services Fund, Anne & Robert Landsman Children’s Fund, Emergency Medical Services Fund (EMS), Cancer Services Fund, Cardiac Services Fund, Home Health Services Fund, Chaplaincy Fund, Lifeline Fund, Alzheimer’s Fund Mountain Trace Nursing Center (MTNC), Swain County Hospital Fund and The HealthCare Education Fund.

Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible and are used to fund new state-of-the-art medical equipment, staff development, new and innovative health services and community programs that directly impact the life of the residents of Western North Carolina, not into routine operating costs.