We’re inviting volunteers to join our Garden Team at Emily's House, a special place where children and families come to rest, play, and find moments of peace.

Help us create and maintain a welcoming outdoor space through simple, meaningful tasks like watering, pruning, weeding, and general garden tidying. Every small act helps shape a calm, joyful environment for those who need it most.

No experience is necessary, just a willingness to help. Mentoring is available, and you can give as much or as little time as you’re able.

If you’re interested contact us!

We want to celebrate and thank you for all you do in giving of your time and presence to our organization in the many varied roles! Saturday, April 18th is the start of National Volunteer Appreciation Week and we want to kick -off by inviting you to our Luncheon celebrating your giving HEARTS & HANDS!!! This is a drop in anytime between 11:30am to 2:30pm. Enjoy some food and fantastic company! Connect with us and your fellow volunteer community! To help plan for numbers, please register now.

New volunteer Daniella and her husband

having some Fly-Me-to-the-Moon fun!

Every once in a great while, all the stars align for a perfect evening, and March 7th was one of those moments. In honour of their son, Matthew Geremia, Marlene and Bruno, together with dedicated volunteers, family, friends, and staff from the Philip Aziz Centre/ Emily’s House, hosted Fly Me to the Moon, a fundraising event in support of Emily’s House children’s hospice.

The evening was a heartfelt celebration of music and love, featuring a University of Toronto jazz trio under the twinkling lights of the Rat Pack Lounge, moving performances by Pulse music therapists, plus the George Lake BIG Band who had guests on their feet dancing.

Special shout out to the Music Therapy professionals who gave the audience a glimpse of the healing power of Music Therapy: Sarah Rose Black, the Princess Margaret Hospital; Kristen DiMarco, Emily’s House; Hannah Yu, SickKids Hospital; and, Andrew Ascenzo, Founder of the Canadian Chamber Orchestra and a Professor at UofT Faculty of Music.

Fly Me to the Moon was the inaugural event honouring Matthew Geremia. Through direct donations, a silent auction, and an energetic live auction led by Emily Clarkson, more than $33,000 and counting was raised. Guests raved about the generous catering, donated by celebrity Chef Corbin and the palpable sense of community throughout the night.

The evening was more than a fundraiser, it was a time to renew friendships and make new friends. Emcee, Tom Harrington, kept the program moving in the newly renovated Stained Glass Centre for the Performing Arts, Stouffville. Fly Me to the Moon was truly a night to remember – and the first of many that will continue to raise awareness and vital funds for the essential work of Emily’s House.

REMINDERS:

1. If possible, book shifts roughly two months ahead; this helps us with planning our programs for the kiddos.
2. If a shift-time listed does not suit you, email Mike & Sunni to create your shift with your requested dates/times.
3. RECORD & CLOSE your shift. It is very important to do this in a timely manner. If possible, close your shift immediately following the end of your shift.
4. Please always update your shift to add 1 hour when recording; this will cover your travel time to and from.
5. To cancel a shift - click on the shift and it will ask you if you want to be removed - click OK. If under 24 hours, also email the EH Vol email. If last minute, also call into reception.

If you are a volunteer that has been active for at least 6 months and more, Progress Review links were emailed on February 4. For some, the link is inactive when clicked. If this happens, or you don’t see yours (check junk!), please ask us to resend it. It takes 3 minutes and can be completed via mobile or laptop.

DATE CHANGE: Moved from April to SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2026
IF YOU HAVE YET TO TAKE, IT IS MANDATORY FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS

Have you taken the Hands-On-Care-Day Training? Or you would like to refresh your caregiving skills? Please sign up! Join Tim Valyear where you’ll learn practical skills for providing compassionate and effective care.

What is Hands-On-Care Day?

• Focus on Direct Care: Volunteers can actively assist individuals with daily living activities, feeding, handwashing, hygiene care, mechanics of assisting from a bed or chair, ways to ask in offering support and more!

Why Attend?

• Training combines theory and practice to build confidence and ensure volunteers are well-prepared to provide safe and respectful care.

• LOCATION: PAC OFFICE & EMILY'S HOUSE.

Sign up for either:

• the morning session - 9am to 12:15pm or
• the afternoon session - 12:30 to 3:45pm

Where to Sign-Up:

• Sign-in using the same credentials you use to sign your agreements.
• Click Calendar - or go to Settings - then Click Calendar
• Click - Events Requiring Volunteers - go to Saturday, June 20 - click on either the 9am or 12:30pm HANDS-ON-CARE-DAY booking - click OK to add yourself - you are booked!

HPCO2026 will focus on collaboration, excellence, and innovation in hospice palliative care. Hospice Palliative Care Ontario presents Canada’s premier palliative care conference- hosting leaders and decision-makers, service providers, healthcare professionals, health system planners, researchers, policymakers, administrators, front-line practitioners, and volunteers from across the healthcare spectrum. Delegates meet to share, debate, learn, and co-create solutions to ensure equitable palliative care is available everywhere. The June 2026 conference attracted over 800 delegates from across Ontario and Canada.

There are limited bursary's and student rates available. See Registration for the bursary opportunities. Mike & Sunni STRONGLY recommend you come, if possible for you!

• Movie Night - Friday, May 28 at 6pm - "Come See Me in the Good Light"
• Harry Von Bommel - Wednesday, June 10
• EH Garden Memorial - Sunday, June 14

We welcome your feedback and insights always!

Click below to provide your ideas and suggestions.

This is an anonymous link.

“If you don’t love yourself, nobody will. Not only that, you won’t be good at loving anyone else. Loving starts with the self.”

- Wayne Dyer-