The Heart of the House

Volunteers

Every warm greeting, every tidy room, every listening ear, volunteers help make JoeAnna’s House more than a place to stay. They make it a home.

At JoeAnna’s House, care doesn’t end at the hospital doors. It crosses the street with a warm hello, a wave from the garden, or a quiet moment shared while washing dishes. Here, in this sanctuary built for families facing medical crisis, a special group of often unsung heroes shows up day after day: the volunteers. With compassion, warmth, and quiet consistency, they help bridge the emotional distance between hospital and home.

Whether it’s greeting weary parents after a long day in the NICU, keeping the common areas cozy, clean, and inviting, or simply offering a kind word at just the right moment, their presence brings comfort in times of uncertainty. Thanks to generous donor support, JoeAnna’s House exists, but it’s the volunteers who make it feel like home. Their energy is the heartbeat of the house: not loud or showy, but steady, generous, and unmistakably human.

MARIA MACDONNELL

Volunteering since 2021

For Maria, volunteering at JoeAnna’s House began with a story shared at the KGH Foundation’s Heart of Gold Gala in 2018. Moved by the families’ experiences and the vision behind JoeAnna’s House, she turned to her husband and said, “I need to volunteer there.” A longtime community volunteer and proud “team mom,” Maria felt a void after her youngest graduated. She found new purpose within the welcoming walls of JoeAnna’s House.

Every Wednesday, she helps set up for Share a Meal night, preparing stations, folding napkins, and creating a warm, inviting space. On quieter evenings, she might do light housekeeping, write cards, or share tea with a guest. It’s in these small, human moments, chatting about hometowns or hearing hospital stories, that she finds the most meaning.

One memory stands out: a young couple holding hands over dinner, savoring a rare moment of calm. “It’s a joy, a purpose, and a reminder of how kindness connects us all.”

GORD BARBER

Volunteering since 2022

For Gord, volunteering at JoeAnna’s House begins with a smile, and often a hug. From the moment he walks in, there’s purpose and warmth. After checking the staff’s task list, he sets about the day’s work: repairing, adjusting, replacing, or making sure things run smoothly. Whether it’s a wobbly chair or a loose fence post, his quiet commitment keeps the house safe and welcoming.

Affectionately nicknamed the “Maintenance God (with a silent R),” a nod to his name and knack for fixing anything, Gord sees his role as more than tools and tasks. One moment stands out: a guest offering to help repair a broken fence post. “It was a happy moment,” he says, proof that connection often grows through shared purpose.

Volunteering here fills him up. Every small act of care makes a big difference. His hands may fix what’s broken, but his heart helps make JoeAnna’s House a home.

Kaitlin Harris

Volunteering since 2024

For Kaitlin Harris, volunteering at JoeAnna’s House was a natural next step. Having spent time in the KGH Gift Shop as a young volunteer, she already knew the KGH Foundation’s impact. As soon as she was old enough, she applied to join the JoeAnna’s House team and has been making a difference ever since.

Each shift begins with Kaitlin checking in, tidying the kitchen, and greeting families in the common areas. Her favourite task? Ensuring the kitchen is clean, organized, and welcoming, a small gesture that means a lot to guests navigating long hospital days. “A good day,” she says, “is when everything runs smoothly, and you can feel the house is a positive place to be.”

What stays with her most are the quiet, heartfelt conversations with guests. Volunteering here has deepened her appreciation for how strangers, even in their hardest moments, come together. For Kaitlin, JoeAnna’s House truly embodies community.