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Moments That Mattered...


The Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Races: Thank you to the Community Teams who raised funds in support of our hospice home and our friends at the Local Community Food Centre. It was a chilly but fun-filled day!


Thank you to the Shakespeare Quilt Club: We are so grateful to this special group of dedicated quilters for generously donating the proceeds raised from their Quilter's Estate Sale in memory of one of their members.


5th Annual SK8 Jam 4 Sam: Our heartfelt thanks to the organizers and participants of SK8 Jam 4 Sam, a fun-filled skateboarding fundraiser in memory of Sam Beauchamp. Sam was an avid member of the Stratford skateboarding community who received care at Rotary Hospice at the young age of 27. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year's SK8 Jam 4 Sam such a success!


Rideau Supply Golf Tournament Proceeds: Our heartfelt thanks to our friends at Rideau Supply for generously donating part of the proceeds from their Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament in August.


SLAAA Open House & Multicultural Fair: We were proud to have a booth at the Stratford Lakeside Active Adults Association's Open House and connect with our community. Thanks to those who stopped by!


Truth & Reconciliation: Staff and volunteers joined together in wearing orange on September 30 as a symbol of remembrance and solidarity with our Indigenous communities.


Grant from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 128 Mitchell Poppy Fund: We're so grateful to the members of the Mitchell Legion Branch 128 for their generous donation from their Poppy Fund to our hospice home and for their continued service to our community. Your dedication as veterans and community leaders helps ensure that local families receive compassionate end-of-life care close to home. Thank you.


Handbags for Hospice Success: The 8th annual Handbags for Hospice was another incredibly successful evening! Read more below.


😊Silly Joke of the Month: Why did the scarecrow win an award in October? Because he was outstanding in his field!

Every Day Counts


At the heart of Rotary Hospice, making every day and every moment count is integral to those affected by life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones. Our Every Day Counts campaign provides a unique opportunity for you to commemorate a special day by contributing to the cost of a day (or more) of care for one (or more) residents at Rotary Hospice.


We all cherish stories of special days and people that linger in our memories. To those who have already chosen to Pay for a Day (or week) of care for a resident here at Rotary Hospice, thank you. Your generosity has made a significant impact on the lives of those in our care. 


The following individuals or organizations were honoured or remembered in July, August & September of 2026:


In Loving Memory of Ed Weston by the Optimist Club of Stratford

In Loving Memory of Doug & Joy Fountain by the Fountain Family

In Loving Memory of Margaret Hislop by Liz, Marilyn & families

In Honour of Hospice Care by The Thursday Lunch Ladies in St. Marys

In Loving Memory of Liz & Charlie Stuart by Lucie Stuart

In Loving Memory of Lynn Whittemore by Bill Whittemore

In Loving Memory of Ed Weston by Ed's Friends

In Loving Memory of Larry Dietrich by Linda & family

In Loving Memory of Aunt Helen by Liz, Marilyn & families

In Loving Memory of Doug Fulton by Doug's family

In Loving Memory of Angus McDermid by Joan McDermid

In Loving Memory of Marjorie Sewell by Carol Miller

In Loving Memory of Judy Young by Shannon, Andrew, Zach & Josh

In Honour of her Siblings by Jane McDonald

In Loving Memory of Stephen Russell by Astrid, Isabelle & Andrew

In Loving Memory of Susanna Hepburn by Stewart Hepburn

In Loving Memory of Bonnie Steinman by Zach, Eric & Aurianne

In Loving Memory of Peter McBoyle by the McBoyle & Callan families

In Loving Memory of Don (Frenchie) Bolduc by Toni & Michelle

In Honour of Hospice Care by Meghan Seaman

In Loving Memory of Frank & Phyllis Mathieson by Madeline, Anne-Marie & Steve, Helen & Paul, and Dan & Carolyn

In Loving Memory of Barry Schmidt by Nancy Schmidt


We also wish to acknowledge those who contributed to our Every Day Counts campaign but chose to keep their donation private.


Our most heartfelt thanks for these special 'pay it forward' gifts of care.


Interested in dedicating a special day? Rotary Hospice must fundraise $350 per room per day to cover operating costs not covered by Ministry of Health funding. Help us fill the calendar with special memories! 

ā€œBah, Humbug!ā€ A Christmas Classic Returns


There’s something magical about gathering to hear Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a timeless tale of compassion, generosity and the true spirit of Christmas.


Join us on December 5 at 7 p.m. at Avondale United Church for a beautiful dramatic reading of Dickens’ beloved story, featuring local performers Marion Adler, Jonathan Church, Judy Maddren, Kelly McIntosh, Keith Reynolds and Scott Wentworth, with music by Laura Burton & David Keeley.


A cherished holiday tradition, this special performance is presented in support of Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth. Enjoy an evening of storytelling, music and Christmas magic while supporting compassionate care in our community.


Tickets are available now! Gather someone you love and make this beautiful Christmas tradition part of your holiday season.

One-on-One Grief Counselling


You don’t have to navigate this alone.


Rotary Hospice offers free, one-on-one counselling with a registered social worker for community members experiencing grief, navigating a terminal illness or caring for someone who is seriously ill.


Whether you’re coping with a loss, preparing for a goodbye, or supporting someone at the end of life, compassionate support is available. Our services are open to everyone in our community and offered at no cost.


If you or someone you know could benefit from this support, please reach out to katec@rotaryhospice.ca or call 519.508.4900 ext. 740

Serenity Garden Ribbon Cutting!


A few weeks ago, we officially cut the ribbon and opened the Serenity Garden to our community!


This special space is the result of a shared vision, incredible generosity and many hands coming together.


We’re so grateful to Doug & Valerie Pinder for their generous support, the 2024 Hog Jog and Handbags for Hospice donors for believing in this project, landscape architect Jane Eligh-Feryn for donating her time and expertise, and our dedicated garden volunteers for helping guide this project from an idea to a beautiful place for reflection, connection and peace.


Because of you, there’s now another place at Rotary Hospice where people can pause, breathe and simply be.

Lights of Love Returns This November


The holidays can be a time of joy, reflection, and remembering those who will always hold a special place in our hearts.


This November, Rotary Hospice’s Lights of Love annual Lighting & Remembrance Ceremony returns, offering our community a meaningful way to honour someone special, celebrate cherished memories, and remember those we hold dear.


Watch for the campaign launch in the coming weeks to learn how you can take part. Every tribute helps support compassionate care for residents and their loved ones at Rotary Hospice.


Because love lives on in the memories we carry.

Meet Volunteer of the Month Cathy!


We’re delighted to celebrate Cathy Meidinger as our October Volunteer of the Month!


Cathy has been part of the Rotary Hospice family since before we opened our doors in 2019, volunteering in both Reception and Direct Support roles. Her warm presence and willingness to help have made her a valued part of our volunteer team for years.


This past year, Cathy expanded the ways she supports our community by dedicating considerable time to learning and leading Advanced Care Planning presentations—helping individuals and families understand the importance of talking about their wishes for future care.


She also regularly volunteers at Steps for Support and has recently joined our new Caregiver Connection team, continuing to find meaningful ways to support caregivers in our community.



There are so many ways to make a difference, and Cathy is a wonderful example of what it means to give your time, skills and heart. Thank you, Cathy, for all you do to help make every moment matter!

Thank You for an Unforgettable Evening!


What a night! Thank you to everyone who joined us for Handbags & Hope: PJs & Prosecco in support of Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.


To our guests, sponsors, donors, volunteers and event partners, your generosity helped make the evening so special. Every ticket purchased, auction bid, and donation helps us provide compassionate, end-of-life care and grief and bereavement support in our community.



Thank you for being part of a community that makes every moment matter!


A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Amanda Hansford & Peter Hansford of BMO Nesbitt Burns, and all of our event sponsors for helping make this evening possible.

Presenting Sponsor

Golden Ticket Sponsor

Emerald Level Sponsors


Community Hearing Care

GC Financial / Sun Life

Magest Building Systems Ltd.

Stratford Plastic Surgery


Diamond Level Sponsors


Grit Engineering

KDB Law

Re/Max a-b Realty

Romeo Optometry

Teahen Construction & Plumbing Ltd.

Usborne & Hibbert

VFG Wealth


Entertainment Sponsors


Accumetal Manufacturing

Swanson's Jewellers

Zehr Insurance


In-Kind Donors


The Best Western Plus Arden Park Hotel

Rheo Thompson Candies

Stratford Flower Shoppe

Friday, November 20 | Lights of Love (More details to come)

Thursday, December 4 at 1 pm | Winter Webinar: Grieving Through the Holidays. To register, email sw@rotaryhospice.ca

Saturday, December 5 | Dickens A Christmas Carol (Tickets on Sale Now!)

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