Eight Ottawa-area homes will open their doors to the public for the Homes for the Holidays tour on November 15, 16, and 17, 2019 in support of Hospice Care Ottawa. The heritage properties and uniquely designed houses across the city, including Rockcliffe Park, the Glebe, and Manotick, will be decorated by some of the region’s top florists and designers to inspire guests on how to decorate their own spaces for the holidays. Last year, the tour saw nearly 1,600 visitors trek through the homes, raising more than $143,000 for the palliative and end-of-life programs offered by Hospice Care Ottawa. Since it began in 2003, the tour has raised more than $2.3 million.
“Homes for the Holidays has become a holiday tradition,” said Lisa Sullivan, Executive Director at Hospice Care Ottawa. “It is thanks to our generous community and over 500 event volunteers that we can raise funds which allow us to continue to provide our programs and services at no cost to those living with a life-limiting illness.”
The 2019 tour features a range of homes, from a charming Cape Cod style home built in the 1940s to a contemporary home featuring wall-to-wall windows. Exciting this year is the home at 260 Park Road in Rockcliffe Park. It is the property of the Kingdom of Belgium, where the Ambassador of Belgium and his family reside, and showcases an eclectic art collection from many different countries around the world.
“I am so excited for tour participants to see the homes we’ve selected,” said Sharon Lalonde, Co-Chair of Homes for the Holidays 2019. “Unadorned they are gorgeous so I can’t wait to see them after the florists and designers decorate them for the season!”
In addition to the eight decorated tour homes, ticket holders will also have access to two special holiday stops: The Holiday PopUp Shop and the Handmade Bazaar. Located in the beautiful residence of the Ambassador of Ireland to Canada, the Holiday PopUp Shop offers visitors the chance to get a head start on holiday shopping. It will feature a selection of local artisans and businesses that have agreed to donate a portion of their proceeds to Hospice Care Ottawa. The Handmade Bazaar, at The May Court Club of Ottawa on Cameron Avenue, will inspire gift ideas with one-of-a-kind items, and 100 percent of sales will directly support Hospice Care Ottawa.
“Year after year, Homes for the Holidays has been a marquis event for Hospice Care Ottawa,” explained Susan McIntosh, Manager of Fund Development. “Without the generosity of the homeowners, florists, sponsors, donors and ticket buyers, we wouldn’t have such a successful event year after year.”
Hospice Care Ottawa provides services to more than 1,700 individuals and their families each year. While it receives some government funding, 40 percent of its operating budget comes from donations and fundraisers such as Homes for the Holidays and the annual Hike for Hospice each spring. The organization has three hospice sites to serve the Ottawa community: Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice in Kanata, the May Court Hospice in Old Ottawa South, and la Maison de l’Est in Orleans, which predominantly serves the French community. Hospice Care Ottawa programs include day hospice, home support, bereavement support, caregiver support and 19 end-of-life beds in our hospice residences.
Ticket booklets are on sale now for $50 each. They can be purchased online and at various locations across Ottawa. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.hospicecareottawa.ca/homes-for-the-holidays-2019 or call 613-260-2906 ext. 222.
