A group of dedicated volunteers is marking the culmination of decades of philanthropic support with a remarkable $60,000 donation to benefit the KidsInclusive program at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC).

The group, known as KHSC Volunteer Services to the Hotel Dieu Hospital (HDH) site, has been a longstanding supporter of KidsInclusive, a program which provides specialized care and support for children and youth with physical, developmental, or communication needs.

The donation reflects the volunteer group’s unwavering commitment, even as it winds down operations after 119 years. KHSC’s larger Volunteer Services department will oversee all volunteer activities at the HDH site moving forward.

“This generous donation is a testament to their legacy of giving and its dedication to our community,” said Noella Klawitter, Director of KidsInclusive. “We are deeply grateful for their support, which has made an immeasurable difference over the years and will continue to do so into the future, thanks to their thoughtful planning.”

Of the $60,000 donation, $50,000 will be distributed as $10,000 annual gifts over the next five years. This approach ensures sustained support for KidsInclusive while providing the program time to identify new donors. The remaining $10,000 represents the KHSC Volunteer Services to the HDH site's final annual donation from last year.

The funds were raised through the operations of the Brockview Café and Brockview Boutique.

“Our members are proud to have supported KidsInclusive for so many years and are pleased that this final gift will provide ongoing support for the program,” said Beth Cade, President of  KHSC’s Volunteer Services to HDH group. “It has been an honour to contribute to the lives of children and families in our region, and we thank the community and hospital staff for supporting our efforts over the years.”

KidsInclusive provides critical services to children and youth from across Southeastern Ontario, including developmental assessments, therapy services, and family support programs. The Auxiliary’s continued generosity will help ensure these essential services remain available to those who need them. For more information about the KidsInclusive program, visit https://kidsinclusive.ca/.