Homes for the Holidays, a marquee event for Hospice Care Ottawa, has decided to stay with a virtual platform for a second year. The event is in its 19th year, one of the longest-standing fundraisers in the National Capital Region in support of Hospice Care Ottawa. Since it began, Homes for the Holidays has raised over $2.5 million for hospice and end-of-life care in our community.
Historically, Homes for the Holidays has been a three-day tour of houses beautifully decorated for the holidays by local florists and designers. This will be the second year, due to the pandemic, the event has turned to a virtual platform. “People love being able to go into other people’s homes,” said Elizabeth Kaulback, a volunteer with Homes for the Holidays. “We’re very fortunate to have Gail and Carman Joynt, who have offered us their home, one of six that we are showing. It’s fun: great homes, great homeowners and wonderful florists.”
The virtual platform has some benefits such as including homes that would not have worked for an in-person event. “We never wanted the tour in our home with the thousands of people, but with the virtual (format) we were prepared to say we are happy to have people see what’s in the house,” said homeowner Gail Joynt. “It’s not something we do every day, but for a special cause I’m happy to do it.”
For the rest of the article by Ashley Fraser, visit the Ottawa Citizen Web site.