Turning loss into legacy: Maddy’s Gala for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice

Small ripples can turn into mighty waves — much like the fundraiser that’s grown into the award-winning Maddy’s Gala in support of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice.

Started by the Otto family in 2008, the gala has cumulatively raised more than $1.2 million for the end-of-life care facility for children, where they spent the final hours with their five-year-old daughter Maddy. The little girl peacefully passed away, surrounded by all those who loved her, on July 17, 2007, shortly after being diagnosed with an inoperable, fatal brain tumour. 

“We all know that children are not supposed to die but, if they must, there is no place as beautiful, comforting and loving as the place she took her last breath,” said the mother, Jeanine Otto, speaking stoically on stage before a crowd of nearly 500 attendees in the ballroom of Brookstreet Hotel. By her side were husband Dean Otto and daughter Hannah, who, at age 23, is now working and living just outside Edmonton with her partner, Kyle McCarney.

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Shared that night was a short tribute to Maddy featuring a video slideshow of photos from her abbreviated childhood, set to the tune Gone too Soon by Daughtry. Jeanine explained how the family first launched their gala at a time when they were trying to find their ‘new normal’.

“It was a way for us to give Maddy’s life and death a purpose and meaning”. 

They never imagined their efforts would have such a broad impact. No single family has raised as much for Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, which recently rebranded from Roger Neilson House.

In 2020, Dean and Jeanine received a Meritorious Service Medal from the governor general of Canada in recognition of the funds raised by the gala and for serving as such an inspiration to and source of support for families suffering loss. The Ottos live in the suburb of Barrhaven, where Dean now works as a mail carrier with Canada Post (he lost his job in the hospitality industry during the pandemic).

Jeanine compared their volunteer work on Maddy’s Gala to the ripple effect of a stone dropped in water. “You are our ripples over the years,” she told the room. “All of our guests, all of our sponsors and all who have supported us, thank you so much for being part of our wave.”

The committee presented Jeanine with a surprise gift that night of hanging wall art that combined photography and words to reflect her perspective on ripple-effect philanthropy. 

Said Jeanine at the podium: “Maddy’s gone too soon, and nobody can argue with that, but what a legacy we have made for her. We are so proud and yet so humble, and we cannot thank you enough for honouring our forever-five-year-old Maddy.”

The gala, now in its 15th year, is organized by a volunteer committee that consists of the Otto family, Laurie Waara, Anne Browne, Charlene Knight, Jessica Crouch, Tricia Scott and Brittany Smith. During the pandemic, they put the gala on a two-year pause but returned in 2023.

The evening raised $122,315.85.

The gala was emceed by Patricia Boal, news anchor with CTV Ottawa and radio host on 580 CFRA. She took a moment to remember Roger Neilson, after whom the children’s hospice was named. The facility is located on the grounds of CHEO.

The former assistant coach with the Ottawa Senators and NHL Hockey Hall of Fame member touched the lives of many before dying of cancer more than 20 years ago.

Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice is currently the region’s only pediatric hospice palliative care home, and one of the few such highly specialized facilities in Canada. It also offers grief support to families. Fundraising for the hospice is managed by CHEO Foundation, which was represented that night by its president and CEO, Steve Read. Also present was Michelle Bouchard, incoming board chair of Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice and a partner at Hendry Warren LLP.

Canadian Tire was the crystal sponsor, which was the equivalent of presenting sponsor. 

The cocktail reception featured a signature Madditini drink served from a lovely ice sculpture. There were also complimentary oysters from The Whalesbone Group, followed by a three-course dinner with beef short rib and a dessert of maple crème brûlee.

The evening included a balloon-pop raffle, CHEO Teddy Bear draw, a prize-winning game of heads or tails, a silent auction, a candy dessert bar, and music and dancing provided by long-time sponsor Quality Entertainment. One of the prizes that night was a trip for two to anywhere WestJet flies, plus five sets of free tickets for next year’s gala.

The live auction was led by fifth-generation auctioneer Stewart James. Among the items was a Battle of Ontario themed package that included a hockey stick autographed by Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk and a limited-edition framed print by Ottawa artist Tony Harris of Toronto Maple Leafs player Auston Matthews. It was obvious where the gala’s loyalty lies when Jeanine intentionally held the print of the Leafs player sideways and upside down while showing it off to the audience.

Not only did Stacey Santaguida from Vittoria Trattoria donate all the wine served at dinner but she also offered up to the highest bidder a $1,000 gift card to the Italian restaurant, complete with limo ride. An exciting package to the Rockies was bought for $7,900 by Jeanine’s brother (and Maddy’s uncle), Kirk Savoie. There was also a family stay at the all-inclusive Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts in Punta Cana, a three-night stay for two at the Wymara Resort & Villas in Turks and Caicos that sold for $5,300, and box suites for the upcoming Avril Lavigne and Sebastian Maniscalco shows at Canadian Tire Centre.

Committee member Brittany Smith flew in specifically for the event. The mom of three first became involved when her husband, Zack Smith, was playing for the Ottawa Senators. Brittany told OBJ.social that she has a “special connection” to the gala and its committee, to Roger Neilson Children’s Hospice, and to Ottawa. “I love coming back,” said Brittany, who lives out West, in both Alberta and their home province of Saskatchewan. Her husband, who announced his NHL retirement in 2021, is the new assistant coach with the Swift Current Broncos, a junior hockey team in the WHL.

caroline@obj.ca