Celebrating 20 Years of Care | Learn More
Home is where the heart is. For every child and family who comes through the doors of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice (RNCH), that home‑away‑from‑home feeling is made possible by an incredible team of dedicated individuals; including long-term volunteers Bill and Ann Gordon.
Bill began his journey with RNCH as a Maintenance Volunteer in 2006 after a meeting that happened by chance. “I was working with some Masons, sealing the basement floor. That’s when the Volunteer Coordinator approached me,” says Bill.
Following a career as a Computer Specialist, he was looking for a meaningful way to give back. With parents who dedicated their time to nonprofit organizations and served on boards, volunteering was woven into his upbringing. Surrounded by family friends who were mechanics and builders, Bill naturally picked up practical skills that would later prove invaluable.
A natural builder — from constructing his own cottage to tackling everyday repairs. “I started out changing the light bulbs, but within the first six months at RNCH, I was getting involved with more maintenance tasks,” he says, “Now, my job is making the hospice a home.”
Ann joined alongside her husband not long after. In 2009, following a career in healthcare and retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces Health Services, she was searching for a place where she could make a difference, while staying close to her roots.
“I was looking for somewhere to volunteer; a place where I could make an impact, with real meaning,” she explains.
Ann found exactly that at RNCH. She now supports the kitchen team, helping prepare home‐cooked meals for support groups, children, and families, tailored to dietary needs, with classics including mac and cheese.
“Kids can be themselves and live a good life at Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice.” – Ann Gordon
Their heartfelt dedication and passion for supporting children and families do not go unnoticed. In 2017, Ann and Bill were recognized for their contributions in pediatric hospice palliative care with the June Callwood Circle of Outstanding Volunteers Award, presented by HPCO.
Through their years at RNCH, Ann and Bill have come to understand something they wish more people knew: pediatric hospice palliative care is not defined by sadness. In fact, the hospice is often filled with joy, comfort, and connection. “I’ve heard more giggling and laughing than anything,” Bill says.
A memory that stays with them involves a child who arrived at the hospice knowing their life would be short. The RNCH team worked tirelessly to make their final memories unforgettable, even bringing prom directly to them. “They made a special dinner and everything. And, you know, they go out of their way to make the kids’ wishes come true,” says Ann.
When asked what has kept them here for so many years, Ann and Bill share that it always comes back to the incredible people at RNCH who support children and families with such dedication.
They’ve watched programs grow, change, and adapt; seeing firsthand the impact the hospice has not only on families, but on them as well. “It’s like a community,” says Bill. Whether it’s a themed activity, a treasure hunt, special visits with ponies, or simply time spent laughing together, one thing always rings true: “The kids get to be kids here.”