-Please visit our website for more information about our programs and services-
A message from our Executive Director
It was my distinct pleasure to lead our Hospice team through 2024.
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​Our staff team, dedicated volunteers and remarkable community have all worked hard this year to provide exemplary end-of-life care. The incredible staff team find ways everyday to help those in our care navigate a difficult part of life with grace and compassion. Demand for grief and bereavement support continued to be high- our skilled volunteers were present and listened. The community supported our in-person fundraising events. Third party events were created and executed to promote our organization and raise much-needed funds.
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In 2024, we embarked on a capital expansion project to house our community programs. In June of 2025 we are putting these spaces into use!
Taking action in the service of others has been a foundational principle for our team this year. This report summarizes and celebrates the accomplishments of Hospice Huntsville in 2024. We look towards 2025 with optimism and gratitude.
Rebecca Ellerson
A message from our Board President
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support of Hospice Huntsville.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Staff and all volunteers, thank you for partnering with us here at Hospice Huntsville as we continue to provide end of life care at Algonquin Grace Hospice Residence and in our surrounding communities with our Grief Support and Visiting Volunteer programs.
We would not have been able to accomplish this without the dedication of so many people committed to helping us provide the best quality end of life care while supporting the needs of their caregivers and family members.
The Board of Directors approved a 3000 square foot expansion of our current residence to enhance our community programs. We are excited to open these doors in June of 2025. Thank you to all who supported us specifically for this project.
Thank you, Rebecca, Administrative team and Clinical team who continue to work tirelessly, to maintain a safe environment for residents and their families.
Our Strategic Plan that guides the Board of Directors and leadership team was reviewed and our 5 pillars of direction were approved for the next 3 years, taking us to 2027. We continue to plan for sustainability of funding and future growth of Hospice Huntsville.
We are looking forward to what 2025 has in store for us, our new community space will be open to provide the space to allow the growth of Hospice Huntsville.
Thank you for "Sharing the Journey" with us and supporting Hospice Huntsville,
Regards,
Gordon Schakelaar
STRATEGIC PLAN 2024-2027
The Board of Directors has reimagined these five pillars to support all the work of the organization for the coming three year term. Hospice Huntsville strives to provide leadership in the provision of palliative and end-of-life care. Everything we do is high-quality, person-centred and imbued with compassion.
Financial Wellness
Give Simple Options to Donate
Give A Voice to Funding Advocacy
Give Results
Give Thanks
Give Financial Oversight
communication
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Connect our Team
Connect with our Community
Connect our Families
Connect using Technology
Programs and services
We Lead
We Partner
We Listen
We Include
We Act
Team Culture
High Quality People
High Quality Performance
High Quality Work Environment
integration
Integrated in our Community
Integrated in our Health Care System
Integrated in our Geography
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2024 Capital Expansion Project
Community Programs Hub
Hospice Huntsville undertook a 3000 square foot expansion project in 2024 to create a hub for community programming, additional storage and family spaces for our hospice residence and dedicated spaces for grief and bereavement groups and counselling. We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who helped with contributions to this capital campaign- it is space built for community by our community.
We look forward to welcoming the community into these new spaces beginning in June 2025!
“We are really excited to have the opportunity to contribute and support Hospice Huntsville. Although several years ago, we are especially grateful for the care given Donna’s Mother, Margaret Hawkins, during her stay there. The services provided by the Hospice provide a peace and dignity to patients that is long remembered by family members. We hope this donation inspires others to support the mission of the Hospice, allowing it to grow and prosper while supporting those families in need.”
-Donna and David Buckley, Capital Project Donors
TESTIMONIALS
'Thank you so much for taking such good care of my mom. Your love, support and compassion was wonderful throughout her 8 weeks here. You are all so special and make a beautiful difference in the lives of those you touch. Also thanks for the great opportunity to stay at the hospice. It was the most full week I had with my mom 24/7. I have treasured memories of that week.'
'Algonquin Grace Hospice was a warm home as our Aunt spent her last days. The staff was so attentive and caring to her needs allowing her peace to the very end.'
Caring for our Community
Hospice huntsville provides high quality, person-centred care at the end of life
Hospice Residence
Visiting
Hospice
Services
Grief +
Bereavement Services
Visiting Hospice Services
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Trained volunteers offer support to individuals and their support networks in the setting of their choice
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Supports can be provided in-person with phone or virtual supports also available
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In-person volunteers support residents at Algonquin Grace and their families
Grief+ bereavement programs
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Trained volunteers offer grief and bereavement peer supports in group and one-to-one settings
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Clinical support connections facilitated
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Available to everyone in the community as well as those who access the hospice residence
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Support provided for any type of loss
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Programs tailored to children, youth and adults
TESTIMONIALS
I am beyond thankful for this experience. It has helped me more than words can describe.
I would highly recommend this program to anyone who has lost a loved one.
I feel stronger, validated and able to continue my grief journey.
-Participants in the Grief and Bereavement Group Service
50%
of operating costs are funded by
The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
The remaining
50%
must be secured through donations and fundraising efforts
Celebrating our Team
Russ Buckerfield
-Visiting Volunteer-
Recipient of June Callwood Award 2025
-Clinical Excellence Committee-
Representatives from our Clinical Staff team created a commmittee to drive evidence practice and clinical education
Bryan Smith
-REgistered Nurse-
Completed Comprehensive Advanced Palliative Care Education (CAPCE) course
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Revenue Breakdown 2024
LHIN FUNDING- HOSPICE RECEIVED SOME ONE-TIME FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF COVID-19 RELATED FUNDRAiSING CHALLENGES
Sustainable giving - Monthly or Annual gifts
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Planned Giving - bequests or other death benefits
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Signature events - events hosted and run by Hospice Huntsville
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Partner Events - Events Hosted by an external organization and supported by Hospice
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Fundraising - Includes events hosted by third party individuals or groups to benefit hospice huntsville
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$0.83 of each dollar raised goes toward direct care costs- your donations allow our programs and services to operate at no cost to recipients
Hike for Hospice
The 2024 Hike for Hospice was a day to come together and celebrate the lives of those we love. More than 200 hikers travelled our short and long courses through downtown Huntsville and enjoyed musical entertainment along the way. Over $76,000 was raised by individuals, groups and teams to support Hospice operations. Thank you to all who supported our Hike!
Hospice Harvest Fest
2024
At the third annual Hospice Harvest Fest, the community gathered at Canvas Brewing Co. for a night of music, a silent auction and live art challenge. Four incredible artists from the Muskoka community painted live and auctioned off their unique pieces to raise funds for Hospice.
Catering was provided by Spencer's Culinary Creations and Catering and music provided by the Tobin Spring Trio. Attendees enjoyed a cork pull wine draw and bidding on several live auction packages. The event was a great success raising $30,000 in support of Hospice Huntsville. We look forward to this event evolving and returning in
2026!
THIRD PARTY EVENTS
Thank you to Hunter's Bay Radio for hosting our Radiothon in 2024 $57,418 raised!
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SANDHILL NURSERY
FALL FESTIVAL 2024
The team at Sandhill Nursery put together an incredible fall event with the help of Hospice volunteers over 6 weeks last fall. Donations were collected from event attendees totalling more than $93,000! The efforts of the community were able to support more than a full month of care at Algonquin Grace hospice. Thank you to all who participated and Sandhill for hosting this incredible community event!
VOLUNTEERING AT HOSPICE
VOLUNTEERING AT HOSPICE
-Volunteers are the Heart of Hospice-
Volunteers support every program and service that is offered at Hospice Huntsville- these caring individuals provide grief support, manage the reception desk, provide support as visiting volunteers, support fundraising and awareness events, bake treats for the hospice residence and everything in between!
Thank you for all you do for Hospice.
“What is the best thing about volunteering at Hospice Huntsville?”​
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Finding that you helped someone through the grief process
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The sense that what we do makes a difference in someone’s life at a challenging time
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The satisfaction from helping my community
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Wonderful like -minded people
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Excellent organization
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The ability to serve my community in a meaningful way
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The feeling of value
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The joy of being a volunteer visitor
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Personal satisfaction of adding value to people’s lives
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That a caregiver gets a well-earned break
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Hospice Huntsville is a place that matters
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It is rewarding and positive space
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Feeling welcomed, comfortable, and appreciated
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The reward of knowing our efforts make a difference
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The appreciation expressed by all for volunteering at HH
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By supporting this valuable community organization, I feel my life has purpose and I am able to contribute to others in some small way.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Provided in-patient care for 116 residents at Algonquin Grace
hearts for hospice program
raised $905 with the support of 25 local artists
Hospice residence volunteers provided 3458 hours of support and greeted 6874 visitors
grief and bereavement program service volumes increased significantly- one to one and group supports provided
over 230 hours of training provided to volunteers in 2024
20 third party events were held and raised a total of $36,173 in support of ongoing operations
TESTIMONIALS
'Now that (resident) journey is over, I am finding it difficult to find the right words to express my gratitude to each and every person involved with your marvelous facility. Your combined talents and dedication to the tasks at hand are something I have never experienced before and will not likely see again soon. The quality of life you provided (resident) during her stay with you was amazing and something I could not even have imagined in our days at home prior to joining your family. You are a wonderful family and I will never forget.'
'Your knowledgeable, compassionate & loving care of Mom, myself and my sister will never be forgotten.'
Thank you to our
event sponsors
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Signature Sponsor
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GOld sponsors
silver sponsors
Bronze sponsors
Our mission
To guide and provide consistent, comprehensive and compassionate end of life care that is readily accessible to individuals, families and caregivers in the setting of their choice throughout the greater Huntsville area.
Our vision
Everyone is entitled to live and die with dignity and comfort surrounded by loved ones, and assisted by compassionate and caring persons of their choice.