Senators Community Foundation celebrates $1 million gift to Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice with official opening of the Senators Foundation Kitchen

Ottawa, ON: Today, representatives from the Senators Community Foundation, Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice (RNCH) and CHEO Foundation gathered for the official naming ceremony and opening of the Senators Foundation Kitchen.

For 20 years now, the Ottawa Senators have been a pillar of support for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, ensuring pediatric palliative care and grief services are accessible to children, youth, and their families in the region. Part of the previously announced $1 million gift from the Senators Community Foundation will be used towards upgrading the kitchen at RNCH. The kitchen is at the heart of the hospice, serving as a warm and welcoming space where families can gather, prepare meals, and feel at home during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.  The planned upgrades will serve children and families in our community for years to come, making the kitchen more functional and accessible.

Megan Wright, CEO of RNCH has been deeply moved by this outpouring of support. “With this gift, we are able to continue to enrich the quality of life for children with a life-limiting illness, and to support their families. Our newly named Senators Foundation Kitchen is more than a room at the hospice—it is a place of connection, comfort, and togetherness. We always aim to support dignity, and normalcy for families. By enabling parents and caregivers to prepare meals in our kitchen and by supporting children to bake and cook together, we are fostering moments of joy and memory-making. My sincere gratitude for your dedication to the children and youth we serve.”

RNCH is a special place and a fitting legacy for Roger Neilson’s warmth, empathy, lifelong passions for community, creativity, empathy, families, and children. Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice was imagined and created to honour an extraordinary man who gave so much and cared so deeply.

“It is an honour to be here today,” says Cyril Leeder, President, Ottawa Senators Hockey Club. “I’m so proud of our team and staff at the Hockey Club and Foundation and so grateful to our community for supporting our mission to help youth in Ottawa-Gatineau in times of need. Our team of young men are fathers, brothers, sons and friends and know the importance of giving back – it’s our culture to give back and I hope that the renewed space here at RNCH will provide families with special moments and memories to last a lifetime.”

Also present was Chris Neil, Ottawa Senators alum and current Vice President of Business and Community Development for the hockey club. Both on and off the ice, Neil has shown what it means to lead—and with his wife Caitlin who works for RNCH, their shared commitment speaks volumes. As Chris put it: “When you see what these families go through, it really puts life in perspective. Helping kids and their loved ones isn’t just about support—it’s about giving them moments of joy and hope when they need it most. That’s what being part of this community is all about.”

Steve Read, President and CEO of CHEO Foundation, and emcee for the event shared his gratitude to the Ottawa Senators Foundation and Hockey Club. “Our long-standing partnership with the Ottawa Senators and the Senators Community Foundation is something we’re incredibly proud of, and this ongoing relationship continues to make a real impact for families across the Ottawa-Gatineau region and beyond. This generous gift is yet another example of their unwavering commitment to kids, youth, and their families. With support like this, we can create brighter futures and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

For more information please contact:

Megan Wright
CEO, Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice
613 302-1338
mewright@cheo.on.ca

Ian Mendes
Vice-President, Communications
Ottawa Senators
613 799-4206
mendesi@ottawasenators.com

Katrina Bussey
Vice-President, Communications and Strategy
CHEO Foundation
613-738-3969
kbussey@cheofoundation.com

About Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice

Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice is a unique home-like environment designed for the most challenging journey that families can experience. A journey that most families cannot imagine having to take.

Our uniquely trained, highly skilled and compassionate team cares for children, youth and families. We are there from the early stages of a life-limiting illness to end-of-life care and grief support. When a life ends, our compassion and support continue.

Our daily purpose, which gets us all up and going each day and every shift, is our commitment to enhancing the quality of young lives. To ease a difficult journey for children, youth and their families. To create memorable moments, lasting memories and enduring legacies.

We are here for children and their families. We are here to enrich the quality of every life, no matter how short.

About Senators Community Foundation

The Senators Community Foundation is passionate in our pursuit of partnerships with others to provide meaningful, viable, successful programs that grant underserved children and youth the opportunities they need to fulfil their ultimate potential.

Since its inception in August 2020, the Foundation has actively worked to make a difference for eastern Ontario and western Quebec children and youth. We are committed to bringing opportunities to learn, grow, and build skills to children and youth living under the poverty line through barrier-free access to recreational activities. We want to support the children and youth in our community regardless of where they live, what they look like or what challenges they face.

About CHEO Foundation

CHEO Foundation is the philanthropic arm of CHEO, CHEO Research Institute and Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice. For over 50 years, the CHEO Foundation has been the link between these respected institutions and the generous community that financially sustains them. CHEO Foundation staff are inspired by donors, and the community, who support pediatric healthcare, cutting-edge research and essential services to ensure children and youth can live their best lives. We are proud to put the interests of kids at the forefront of our decisions and we are intentional in everything we do. We improve by learning from experiences and by being accountable for our outcomes. We take care of ourselves and each other, embrace equity, diversity, inclusivity and indigeneity, and celebrate success as a team.