Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? 

At Beth Donovan Hospice, we believe a hospice is more than just a place, it’s a home.
Like any home, it takes many caring hands to keep it running. Our volunteers are the
heart of what we do, and we’re always looking for kind and capable individuals to join
our community of support.

Whether you have a few hours a week or just a bit of time to give, there’s a place for
you here.

Current Volunteer Opportunities:

Maintenance Support
Help us keep our hospice safe, clean, and welcoming. We are lookin for
volunteers to assist with various maintenance tasks that ensure our hospice
remains a comfortable space for those we serve. Tasks may include salt
walkways, shovel snow, assist with spring cleaning, eavestrough cleaning,
washing windows, garbage removal or the occasional dump run. Handy with
tools, there may be additional maintenance task you can help with.

Medical Equipment Cleaning
Our free lending program provides a vital service to the community, and we need
your help! We are looking for passionate individuals to join us in ensuring that our
medical lending equipment is disinfected and cleaned for everyone who needs it.
Your efforts will directly impact the health and wellbeing of individuals in our
community who rely on this program.

Fundraising & Event Support
Are you creative or love working behind the scenes at events? Join us in
planning and executing fundraising activities to help support hospice care in our
communities. Your efforts can make a real difference in providing compassionate
care to those in need. Your creativity, collaboration and assistance with setup,
coordination will help us organize events that will raise funds for hospice care

Third-Party Fundraising
Hosting a garage sale, bake sale, birthday fundraiser or community event? We
welcome individuals, businesses, and community groups to host third-party
events to help raise funds and awareness for the hospice. By hosting a third
party event, you can be a key part of supporting hospice care in your community.
Let’s work together to make a difference.

Entertainment for Day Hospice
Musicians, magicians, artists, and entertainers—our Day Hospice program would
love to welcome you! Brighten someone's day with your talent and heart.

Outreach & Promotion
Help us spread the word about Beth Donovan Hospice and the important
services we provide to our community. By distributing posters and flyers in your
local area, you can make a meaningful impact. A few stops during your weekly
routine can go a long way. Or speak to local groups, organizations about the
hospice and the support we can offer. Your voice can help us reach more people
in need. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and help us grow
our network of support. Every action makes a difference.

Vehicle Detailing
Love a clean car? We have a few hospice vehicles that need monthly detailing to
stay fresh and ready to pick up clients. 

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

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

Honorary Lifetime Members

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