Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? 

At Beth Donovan Hospice, we believe hospice is more than a place, it’s a home. And like any home, it thrives because of the caring hands that support it. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re always welcoming compassionate individuals to join our community. Whether you can give a few hours a week or just a little time now and then, there’s a role for you here.

Current Volunteer Opportunities:

In-Home Visiting 
Our In-Home Visiting Program offers trained volunteers the opportunity to provide companionship and emotional support to individuals with life-limiting illnesses in the comfort of their own homes. Volunteers make a meaningful difference by offering a listening ear, a caring presence, and respite for caregivers. This flexible role is ideal for compassionate individuals. Comprehensive training is provided.

Maintenance Support
Help us keep Beth Donovan Hospice safe, clean, and welcoming. We're looking for volunteers to assist with seasonal and general maintenance tasks that ensure our space remains comfortable for all who walk through our doors. Tasks may include salting walkways, shoveling snow, spring cleaning, eavestrough clearing, window washing, garbage removal, or the occasional dump run. If you're handy with tools, there may be additional small repair jobs as well.

Medical Equipment Cleaning
Our free medical equipment lending program is a lifeline for many in our community offering support, dignity, and independence when it’s needed most. We’re looking for caring volunteers to help clean and disinfect equipment, ensuring it's safe and ready for the next person. This behind-the-scenes role has a powerful impact, directly supporting the health and wellbeing of those who rely on this essential service. Your time and care truly make a difference. Come weekly for a few hours, or once a month. 

Fundraising & Event Support
If you love to plan events or enjoy being part of a team that brings people together for a good cause, we’d love to have you on our fundraising team. At Beth Donovan Hospice, fundraising is essential—we rely on it to cover nearly 50% of our annual operating costs. As a volunteer, you’ll help organize events that raise critical funds and awareness for hospice care. Whether you’re full of creative ideas, great with logistics, or just eager to lend a hand, your efforts make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

Third-Party Fundraising

Third-party fundraisers play a vital role in supporting Beth Donovan Hospice—and as a volunteer, hosting one is a powerful way to give back. Whether you plan a garage sale, bake sale, birthday fundraiser, or community event, your efforts help raise both funds and awareness for compassionate hospice care. We’re here to support you by promoting your event and sharing your story. As a community-driven organization, we rely on people like you to help ensure care remains accessible for those who need it most. Every event, big or small, can make a meaningful difference.

Entertainment for Day Hospice
We’re always looking for individuals who can share their talents to brighten someone’s day. Our Day Hospice program welcomes musicians, magicians, artists, storytellers, therapy animals, and entertainers of all kinds. Whether it’s music, laughter, meaningful stories, or the gentle comfort of an animal companion, your presence can bring joy and connection to those we serve. If you have a gift to share and a heart for making a difference, we’d love to welcome you.

Outreach & Promotion
Whether you're making community connections, distributing brochures and flyers, or setting up information tables at local events, there's a place for you on our outreach team. At Beth Donovan Hospice, outreach is all about helping people learn about the free care and support we offer and that takes many forms. You might chat with someone at a farmer’s market, drop off posters at a coffee shop, or introduce us to a local service club. No matter your skills or schedule, there’s a role for everyone in outreach and every effort helps us reach more people when they need us most.

Vehicle Detailing
Love a clean car? Our hospice vehicles are used every Thursday to transport Day Hospice clients to and from our program—and we want to ensure they’re as clean, safe, and welcoming as possible. We’re looking for volunteers to help with monthly detailing to keep them fresh and comfortable for those we serve. Your care and attention help create a positive experience from the moment a client steps inside.

Garden Committee
Do you have a passion for gardening? Come be a part of our dedicated group of
volunteers who care for our hospice vegetable gardens, flower gardens and
green spaces. Your efforts will help keep these areas beautiful, bountiful and
welcoming for all who visit.

Story Collector
Do you have a passion for writing or journalism? We’re looking for a volunteer to

capture and share stories from our clients and families (with their consent) to
help celebrate and honor their journeys.

Student Volunteers
Are you a high school student looking to complete your volunteer hours? Or a
post-secondary student hoping to gain experience in community health, palliative
care, or nonprofit work? We offer meaningful opportunities that make a real
impact.

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering in hospice is very rewarding. You get to meet and interact with many different people and form relationships based on respect, caring and understanding.

Hospice volunteers help:

• Make a difference in people’s lives.
• Develop a wide range of skills and experience.
• Help bring changes to their communities.
• Make a difference in the lives of our clients and their loved ones.
• Create a wide network of friendships and acquaintances.

FORMS

Complete the ONLINE Volunteer Application Form

Beth Donovan Hospice

Beginning in Merrickville’s St. Ann Roman Catholic Church’s spacious rectory as a respite care hospice, the Merrickville Community Hospice was founded by Fr. Brian Hart and the Parish Council, along with parishioners of St. Ann’s and the Merrickville Town Council. The hospice development was incorporated in 1993 and no longer involved the rectory, but called for service in clients’ homes, or out of a free-standing location.

In January of 1994, a registered nurse named Beth McGrath (later Donovan) became the coordinator of volunteers, and implemented the first volunteer training program that March; those preliminary volunteers went on to serve thirteen client families in that first year.

For over three years, Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Merrickville provided free office space for the Hospice, and by December the hospice received its first grant of $1,300 from the province.

The hospice continued to grow with 2,550 volunteer hours of service donated to the local community during the fiscal year 1995-96; by ‘97, the hospice had its own rented space in Kemptville, with a registered name, seal, and increased provincial funding. In conjunction with Blair & Son Funeral Home in Smiths Falls, a spring and fall bereavement group was offered in 1998-99, open to all bereaved persons in the area.

By 2003, service was officially extended to the former Rideau Ward of the City of Ottawa and provincial funding had increased to nearly $27,000, which still only subsidized 18% of our annual budget. However, our funding and client base steadily increased by 2006 to the point where the dream of a Residential Hospice was renewed. Although not mandatory, Level 1 accreditation for the Hospice was sought and achieved in 2009.

During October of 2012, government funding was substantially increased allowing us to grow considerably. More recently, a feasibility study was conducted to further identify the next steps of development for the hospice; community consultations, client and volunteer interviews, along with hospice staff helped to inform the study. As of 2015, the Beth Donovan Hospice offices have moved to larger quarters and now offer a Day Hospice Program, Home visiting program, Spiritual Care, Equipment Lending, Grief Counselling, Bereavement Groups and more to our community. Future goals include implementing new group programming running quarterly, an online inventory of grief resources, and training additional volunteers for our programs.

The voluntary Board of Directors provides leadership, counsel and direction for all BDH activities including raising funds and generating community awareness of BDH programs and services.

Executive Officers

• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Executive Director
  
• Maureen Taylor-Greenly, Board Chair
• Victor Desroches, Vice Chair
• Hugh O'Neill, Treasurer
• Cindy Desjardins, Secretary (On leave)

Board Members

• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Past Chair
• Linda Carnegie
• Connie Guy
• Chris Lemieux
• Lise Kreuger

Honorary Lifetime Members

• W.S. Garland (deceased)
• Murray Campbell (deceased)
• Chalmer Conn (deceased)
• Loretta James (deceased)