Beth Donovan Hospice

12/31/2025

⏰ One day left to give. ⏰

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, we’ve reached $47,995 toward our $100,000 Give the Gift of Care goal.

Every dollar given today does twice the work.
All donations — including new 12-month monthly pledges — are being matched dollar for dollar.

Your gift helps ensure free, compassionate hospice care and support for individuals, caregivers, and families in our community — when they need it most.

Not sure what works best for you?
Use our tax credit calculator to see how your donation may cost less than you think:
👉 https://give-the-gift-of-care.raiselysite.com/charitabledonationtaxcredit

If you’ve been thinking about giving, today is the day.
Let’s finish strong — together.

12/30/2025

Grief can touch us in many ways: emotionally, physically, and spiritually. After the holidays especially, many people find themselves carrying quiet questions, longing, or a sense of heaviness they can’t quite name.

We invite you to join us for The Spiritual Journey of Grief, a gentle, monthly peer support gathering at Beth Donovan Hospice. This drop-in group offers a welcoming space to explore the spiritual side of grief through reflection, poetry, and shared conversation. You don’t need to have the right words, just come as you are.

🗓 Friday, January 2
🕐 1:00 – 2:00 PM
📍 Beth Donovan Hospice, 1107 French Settlement Rd, Kemptville
🔁 Held the first Friday of every month
💜 Free to attend

Each session is guided by Sid Ypma, Chaplain, and is open to anyone navigating grief or loss. Whether your loss is recent or long ago, you are not alone.

To RSVP or learn more:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/monthly-grief-drop-in-group-1st-friday-of-the-month-1-2-pm
📧 counselling@bethdonovanhospice.ca

📞 613-258-9611

Please feel free to share this with someone who may need a gentle place to land.

12/30/2025

As we reflect back on the year we’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the Manotick Village BIA for including Beth Donovan Hospice in their annual Women’s Day Celebration on November 1st.

Thanks to the generosity of those who attended, we raised over $400 through raffle ticket sales and, just as meaningful, we shared so many lovely conversations with everyone who stopped by the Manotick Legion (aka the Ladies Lounge). Those moments of connection are what community is all about.

A special thank you to Kelly Belair and her team for all the work that went into executing such a terrific event.

Wishing you all a very happy New Year, and thank you for continuing to support care, connection, and compassion in our community.

12/29/2025

Our Therapeutic Art Group wrapped up their most recent session with a festive Santa Claus paint day! It was a lovely way to head into the holidays. The room was buzzing at first, with tables full of treats, conversation, and laughter. Then, one by one, everyone settled into their own rhythm… and the room grew quiet as everyone slowed down.

No two Santas were alike! A reminder that there’s no right or wrong way to create, just your way

Therapeutic art offers a gentle space to slow down, express feelings that can be hard to put into words, and connect with others who understand. No art experience is needed, just a willingness to show up and try.

We’re pleased to share that a new Therapeutic Art Group session begins January 26, with two class times:
• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
• 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

This free group is intended for individuals experiencing grief, those living with a chronic or life-limiting illness, and caregivers who may need a little extra support and time for themselves.

Spaces are limited. To learn more or to register, please contact
Melissa.Hill@bethdonovanhospice.ca

12/29/2025

What if everyone who was able gave $25 a month?

As part of our Give the Gift of Care campaign, small monthly gifts help provide steady, compassionate hospice care and support for local families — today and throughout the year.

Right now, every donation is matched, including new monthly pledges matched for up to one full year. Gifts made by December 31 are also eligible for a 2025 charitable tax receipt.

Monthly giving is one option. One-time gifts matter just as much.

Use our tax credit estimator to see what works best for you:
👉

Give the Gift of Care : Make a donation today to support Give the Gift of Care

12/28/2025

✨ In Their Words ✨
Our in-home visiting volunteers often tell us they signed up wanting to give back—but quickly discovered they were receiving just as much in return. 💛

This week’s quote comes from one of our incredible volunteers, reflecting on the unexpected gifts found in simple moments of connection: the conversations, the shared stories, the quiet companionship.

At Beth Donovan Hospice, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Their presence brings comfort, dignity, and friendship to those living with a life-limiting illness—and in return, many find a deep sense of purpose and meaning.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a volunteer, we’d love to chat with you.
👉 Email volunteer@bethdonovanhospice.ca
to learn more.

Thank you to all our volunteers who give so generously—and receive so beautifully. 💛✨

12/26/2025

12/24/2025

This holiday season, we are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received so far.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, $27,391 has already been raised through our Give the Gift of Care campaign. With the support of a generous matching donor, that impact has grown to $54,782 for hospice care, caregiver support, and grief programs.

This includes all donations made this month, along with 12-month pledges.

All gifts made through the end of December will continue to be matched dollar-for-dollar (up to $100,000) and will also qualify for 2025 charitable tax receipts.

https://give-the-gift-of-care.raiselysite.com/

Thank you for being part of a community that leads with compassion and care.
Wishing you peace and warmth this holiday season. 💜

12/24/2025

Our hospice tree is adorned with the sweetest handmade ornaments, and our hearts are full. 💜

A big thank you to Rivière-Rideau, to the students and teachers who created these beautiful decorations and shared them with us. Each ornament is a reminder of the between youth and our community, and the joy that grows when generations care for one another.

These small works of art bring warmth, colour, and so many smiles to our space. We are grateful for the creativity, and kindness that went into every single one.

Merci beaucoup aux élèves et aux enseignants de Rivière-Rideau votre générosité et votre cœur font une vraie différence.

Happy Holidays to you all!

École élémentaire et secondaire publique Rivière Rideau

12/24/2025

When everyone is finally seated around the table—no rushing, no running—it can be a surprisingly good moment for an important conversation.

Advance care planning isn’t about being sick or old. It’s about making sure the people who love you know what matters to you, before they ever have to guess.
It’s for everyone, at every age.

These conversations don’t need to be heavy or formal. They can be gentle, curious, and shared over coffee, dessert, or a family meal.

Here are five simple questions to start the conversation:

1️⃣ What does “living well” mean to you?
What makes life meaningful, comfortable, or worth living for you?

2️⃣ If you were very ill, what would matter most?
Being at home? Comfort? Time with family? Pain control? Independence?

3️⃣ Who would you trust to speak for you if you couldn’t?
Have you told them? Do they understand your values and wishes?

4️⃣ Are there treatments you would want—or not want—if recovery was unlikely?
This isn’t about medical details. It’s about priorities and limits.

5️⃣ What do you want your loved ones to know?
About your care, your values, or what brings you peace.

If you’re not sure where to start, a free Advance Care Planning Workbook is available here:
https://www.advancecareplanningontario.ca/

It walks you through the questions at your own pace and can help guide these conversations with family and friends.

If you’d like more support or want to learn how to begin, we’re here to help.
Visit www.bethdonovanhospice.ca
, email BDH@bethdonovanhospice.ca
, or call 613-258-9611.

Advance care planning is a gift—to yourself and to the people who love you.

Advance Care Planning Canada Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association Hospice Palliative Care Ontario