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Moments That Mattered...
Special Summer BBQ: Staff and volunteers gathered in the Serenity Garden for our first unofficial event in the space, celebrating the connection and community we share at Rotary Hospice. We invite you to join us for the official opening of the Serenity Garden in October. Read more below.
Stevie B Ride for Hospice: We're so grateful to the family and friends of Steve Baechler, who spent his final days at Rotary Hospice, for organizing their wonderfully successful Ride for Hospice fundraiser again this year. Thank you for choosing to include Rotary Hospice as part of Steve's legacy.
Caregiver Connection Program Launch: Our new Caregiver Connection program begins this month, creating space for caregivers to connect, learn, and receive support. This program is facilitated by Registered Social Worker Jaclyn and Community Hospice Outreach Coordinator Chelsey. Learn more below.
Another Successful Rooster Classic: Despite the wet weather, the 8th annual Rooster Classic, held in memory of early hospice resident Bruce "Rooster" Withers, was an incredible success. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this fun-filled day of golf and community.
Handbags for Hospice is Around the Corner: Preparations for the 8th annual Handbags for Hospice are in full swing, and it's shaping up to be another fantastic evening of fun and fundraising thanks to our amazing community. We are still seeking donations for our Wine Wall - read more below.
Little Leaf Stratford: We were grateful for the opportunity to connect with Paul and Leanne, owners of Little Leaf Stratford. They came for a tour of our hospice home and made a generous donation in support of Rotary Hospice.
Thank you, Aubrey, Ellie & Logan: Our amazing summer students wrapped up their time with us, moving on to their Fall studies. Their work was deeply appreciated by everyone, and they are already greatly missed!
Flower Donations: We are always grateful to receive flower arrangements to brighten our hospice home. Please note: we cannot accept highly scented flowers.
šSilly Joke of the Month: Why did Humpty Dumpty love September? Because Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. šš
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Introducing Caregiver Connection: Support for Those Who Care for Others
When someone in your circle is living with a serious illness, you may find yourself taking on new responsibilities such as helping with appointments and medications, preparing meals, providing personal care, offering emotional support, or simply being there when they need you most. You might not think of yourself as a caregiver. You may simply think, āIām their spouse,ā āIām their daughter,ā āIām their friend.ā
But if youāre caring for someone, in any capacity, you are a caregiver.
Weāre excited to introduce Caregiver Connection, a new free program starting in a few weeks, designed to support people who are caring for a loved one.
Through education, conversation, and peer connection, caregivers will have an opportunity to learn practical strategies, share experiences with others who understand and take some time for themselves.
Caregiving can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging, isolating, and exhausting. You donāt have to navigate it alone.
ļ»æWhether you proudly identify as a caregiver or have never used that word to describe yourself, this program is for you. Please share this information with anyone in your circle who may benefit.
To learn more, click the button below or contact referrals@rotaryhospice.ca
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Come See Our Serenity Garden!
Next month, weāre celebrating the completion of our Serenity Garden, a beautiful outdoor space created to offer peace, comfort and connection at Rotary Hospice.
The garden is already open to our residents, families, visitors and the wider community, providing a quiet place to sit, spend time together, reflect, or simply enjoy a little fresh air surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Before winter arrives, weāre inviting you to join us for a special Serenity Garden Open House to celebrate this meaningful addition to our hospice grounds and the many hands and hearts that helped make it possible.
Date: Thursday, October 8th
Time: Drop in anytime between 5 - 7 pm
Location: The Serenity Garden behind Rotary Hospice, 80 Greenwood Dr. (located on the hospice grounds closest to Norwood Court). *Please consider parking on Norwood Court, as parking in the hospice parking lot is limited and prioritized for family members and loved ones of residents.
Details: This is a rain-or-shine drop-in event; light beverages will be served, with live music provided by Our Little Band at 5 pm and formal remarks at 6 pm.
Come for a little while, stay for the music and remarks if you wish, or simply stop by to see the garden and share in the celebration.
P.S. While dogs are welcome to visit the Serenity Garden, we would ask that they be left at home for this special event.
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Save the Date: Lights of Love
Join us on Friday, November 20, for Lights of Love, a special evening of remembrance and reflection at Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.
As the holiday season begins, weāll come together to honour the people we carry in our hearts as we light up Rotary Hospice with love.
More details will be shared soon, but for now, mark your calendar and plan to join us for this meaningful community tradition.
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Donate to our Wine Wall!
Raise a glass to an amazing cause!
One of the most popular features at Handbags for Hospice is our Wine Wall, and we need your help to fill it!
Weāre inviting our wonderful community to donate a bottle of wine valued at $20 or more. During the event, guests purchase a numbered cork for $20 and exchange it for a surprise bottle of wine. Itās a fun way to support the event, and every bottle donated helps us raise essential funds for compassionate hospice care in our community.
Wine donations can be dropped off by September 25 at:
Thank you for helping make this yearās Handbags for Hospice a memorable (and successful!) evening.
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Meet Volunteer of the Month Tim!
This month, we are delighted to celebrate Tim Elliott, one of our talented piano volunteers, whose willingness to answer the call helped create a deeply meaningful moment for a hospice family.
When a family asked for a specific hymn to be part of their loved oneās honour walk, they knew they wanted the comfort of music, but in the emotion of the moment, they were too overwhelmed to sing themselves. With only about 10 minutesā notice, Tim arrived at the hospice, took his place at the piano, and began to play.
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As the family said goodbye, Tim not only provided the music they had hoped for, but also led the hospice team in singing the hymn together. What might have been a quiet and difficult moment became something incredibly beautiful: a family surrounded by music, voices and care as they honoured someone they loved.
Timās quick response, generosity, and musical talent made it possible for this family to have the moment they had envisioned, and, as our team can attest, he somehow made us sound like a full church choir!
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Thank you, Tim, for always answering the call, for sharing your incredible gift, and for reminding us that sometimes music can say what words cannot. We are so grateful for the comfort and beauty you bring to our hospice home.
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Upcoming Community Events Supporting Rotary Hospice
Community members continue to find creative and meaningful ways to support Rotary Hospice, and weāre grateful for every effort. Consider joining one of these upcoming events:
Saturday, September 19: Stratford Rotary Dragon Boat Festival
Support the 2026 Community Team Challenge!
New this year, the Community Team Challenges invites registered local teams to raise funds in support of two vital local initiatives: Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth and The Local Community Food Centre. We're grateful to be chosen as a beneficiary, and we invite you to support those paddling with purpose. Thank you to our friends at the Rotary Club of Stratford!
Saturday, September 26: 5th Annual SK8 Jam 4 Sam
SK8 Jam 4 Sam is a fun-filled annual community skateboarding fundraiser held in memory of Sam Beauchamp. An avid member of Stratfordās skateboarding community, Sam received care at Rotary Hospice at the young age of 27. On Saturday, September 26, family, friends, and local skaters will come together at the Stratford Skate Park to celebrate his life, honour his legacy, and support compassionate hospice care for others in our community.
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Learn more about these events and other ways to support hospice care on our website or social media channels.
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