Moments That Mattered...

Hospice Hearts Monthly Giving Campaign: Our heartfelt thanks to the new monthly donors who joined our Hospice Hearts Monthly Giving Community this month! Read more below.

Valentine's Day Celebrations: Staff and volunteers celebrated the month of love by sharing messages of gratitude and spreading love to every corner of our hospice home.

Sweets from Sirkel: Our friends at Sirkel Foods dropped off a tray of beautiful Valentine's Day cupcakes for staff. Thank you for the sweet treats!

Mary's Arrangement Skills: Volunteer Mary spent time rearranging a larger floral bouquet into smaller arrangements to bring a bit of colour and a hint of spring to each resident room.

Welcome Georgia! This month, we welcomed Nursing Student Georgia from Georgian College as she shadowed staff as part of her nursing program.

Children at Play: Some tiny visitors made use of our Children's & Family room, finding space to play and be at home.

A Special Lunch Donation: Staff were treated to a lunch delivery by a family member of a former resident. This gesture was deeply meaningful and was so appreciated by our team.

Floral Donation: Thank you to Flowers on York for generously selecting Rotary Hospice to receive a gorgeous floral arrangement.

Pink Shirt Day: Our team wore pink as a symbol of our commitment to creating a kind, inclusive, and supportive space in the community.

Hike for Hospice Prep: Preparations for this year's Hike for Hospice are underway, and we can't wait to hike with you in June! Read more below.

Science Hill Drifters Family Day Fundraiser: We are incredibly grateful to Jason and Loretta, the Science Hill Drifters Snow Mobile Club, and everyone who took part in their amazing fundraiser on Family Day. 

😊Silly Joke of the Month: What did the tree say to spring?

What a re-leaf!

Caring for the community takes consistency.

Every day, the hospice is here, offering compassionate care, comfort, and support to individuals and their loved ones when they need it most.

We want to take a moment to thank all of our new monthly donors, as well as those who have increased their monthly gift. Your generosity ensures that care is always available, and it truly makes a difference in the lives of our residents, loved ones, and the broader community.

As our Hospice Hearts Monthly Giving Challenge comes to a close, we invite you to consider becoming a monthly supporter. A recurring gift provides reliable funding that allows us to plan ahead, respond quickly, and ensure care is always available.

If you believe in a hospice that is always present, always compassionate, and always here for our community, now is a meaningful time to join our family of monthly donors. Smaller, regular contributions add up and offer you a budget-friendly way to make a lasting impact. Even the smallest monthly gifts can grow into something extraordinary over time.

Have your gift matched by Quadro Communications, and double your impact today.

This campaign ends tomorrow night at midnight!

Loss touches every corner of our community: families, workplaces, classrooms, and care settings. Whether you are grieving yourself or supporting someone who is, access to thoughtful, compassionate support matters.

We wanted to share some upcoming grief support opportunities created to meet people where they are, gently, without pressure, and in community with others.

Please feel free to share this information with those in your circle who may benefit.

Spring Webinar: Children & Grief

Children experience grief in ways that can be surprising, confusing, and deeply individual. This webinar explores how grief may show up in children's thoughts, emotions, and behaviour, and how caring adults can offer steady, meaningful support.

Designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and anyone supporting a grieving child, this session offers insight, reassurance, and practical guidance for having age-appropriate conversations, responding to big feelings, and creating a sense of safety during times of loss.

Date: Thursday, March 5

Time: 7:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Bereavement Group: Experiencing the Death of an Adult Child

The death of an adult child is a profound and life-altering loss that can feel difficult to speak about, even with close friends or family. This group offers a supportive space for parents to gather with others who are also navigating this unique form of grief.

Participants are invited to share, listen, and reflect in a setting that honours both their loss and the enduring bond with their child.

Dates: Wednesday Nights in April and May

Time: 7:00 - 8:30 pm

Location: In-person at Rotary Hospice

Bereavement Group: Living with Loss

Grief doesn't follow a straight line, and it doesn't have an end date. This group is open to anyone living with loss, whether recent or years-past, expected or sudden.

It offers a gentle space to connect with others, share experiences, and find steadiness while learning to live alongside grief.

Dates: Tuesday Nights in April and May

Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Location: Online via Zoom

If you or someone you support may benefit from these offerings, we invite you to share this information widely. All programs are offered at no cost in a safe and welcoming environment.

To register, or to discuss whether a group or webinar is the right fit, please contact our team of Registered Social Workers at sw@rotaryhospice.ca or call 519.508.4900 ext. 740

A Stylish Way to Support Hospice Care

From February 27 to March 5, Cozyn's Garden Centre is supporting our hospice home through a special Fundraiser Fashion Week!

In place of their traditional in-person Spring Fashion Show, Cozyn's has dedicated a week to a cause that is close to their hearts. During this special week, shoppers can receive 15% off their purchase or donate $5 to receive 20% off.

All proceeds from the week will support compassionate hospice care for individuals and their loved ones in the community. To date, Cozyn's fashion shows have raised over $12,000 in support of Rotary Hospice.

We're deeply grateful to Cozyn's for their creativity, generosity, and continued support!

National Homemade Soup Day

At Rotary Hospice, soup is never just soup.

It's a familiar smell when you walk through the door. Something warm on the stove to offer visitors who may not realize they haven't eaten yet. A small comfort, made fresh each day, and shared with love.

Much of that care comes from Sue, a beloved kitchen staff member, who, alongside our kitchen volunteers, ensures there is soup to share each and every day. With an instinct for flavour and a deep understanding of how food can comfort, they prepare soup the way it should be made: slowly, thoughtfully, and with heart.

Today, Sue's sharing one of her favourite recipes with you. We hope it brings a bit of hospice warmth into your own kitchen, and perhaps reminds you that care can be found in the simplest of things.

Hike for Hospice Returns!

Mark your Calendar for Hike for Hospice on Sunday, June 14! We're already looking ahead to sunshine, fresh air, and coming together as a community in support of compassionate hospice care.

Registration opens in early April, but now is a great time to start rallying your team - friends, family, coworkers, classrooms, clubs or walking groups. Can't join us in person? You can still take part through Hike on Your Site, where participants walk from their own location while supporting the same important cause.

More details are coming soon. We can't wait to hike with you!

We Love Rotary Hospice Volunteers Because...

This month, staff were invited to write messages sharing why they appreciate our volunteers. Our volunteers offer their time, presence, and care in countless ways. They support families and loved ones, assist our team, and help create a hospice environment rooted in compassion and dignity. We simply could not do this work without them.

Here are just a few of the messages our staff shared:

"Day after day, shift after shift, they always bring their best selves to ensure our visitors feel cared for!"

"They bring comfort and reassurance to so many."

"They make a difference every day!"

"They inspire us with their compassion, dignity, and skill."

"They make everything seem better."

"They share their unique talents, from food to music to great conversation, that bring such joy to residents, families and staff!"

To all our volunteers: thank you for the time you give, the care you share, and the community you help create. You are deeply valued, today and always.

Thursday, March 5 at 7 pm on Zoom: Spring Webinar: Children & Grief

Sunday, June 14: Hike for Hospice (Registration Opens early April!)

Saturday, August 22: The Rooster Classic (Registration Opens April 1!)

Thursday, October 1: Handbags for Hospice