Glued to her father’s side, she walked up to the front of the crowd gathered at the Donald Street depot for the launch of the Snowsuit Fund’s 45th season of keeping Ottawa children warm. Gingerly, she accepted a brand-new blue snowsuit—her choice from a rack of winter wear and, fittingly, her favourite colour—before retreating to the safety of the back of the room, still firmly holding on to her father.
Aleeyah represents the 20,000-plus children and youth who will receive a brand-new snowsuit from the Ottawa Snowsuit Fund this season—a number that continues to rise each year.
Snowsuit Fund Board Chair Ray Skaff thanked the assembled volunteers, business leaders and community supporters. He spoke with pride about being involved with the organization but emphasized that it is the community that makes it all happen.
And it is the generosity of that community—along with the countless hours donated by volunteers—that keeps the Snowsuit Fund going. Skaff noted that the organization has already distributed 5,000 snowsuits since opening its doors one month ago.
The Snowsuit Fund is supported by individual donations, fundraising events such as the Snowball and its 50/50 draw, as well as long-time corporate and community partners. Brown’s Cleaners, for example, accepts gently used snowsuits at its locations, has them dry-cleaned and then donates them to the Snowsuit Fund.
Tim Hortons’ franchisees are another longtime supporter. Through the annual Smile Cookie Campaign, they contributed a whopping $344,000 to the Snowsuit Fund this past year.
Mayor Mark Sutcliffe took time out from campaigning to attend the kickoff event and tipped his hat to the legacy of Joan Gullen and Ralph Tannis, the fund’s creators and the current “small and mighty team behind the Snowsuit Fund.” He expressed his gratitude to those gathered and to the broader Ottawa community for continuing to support the organization.
“Thank you for showing year-after-year what a special community Ottawa is and… how much people in Ottawa care about each other and the most vulnerable,” the mayor said.
Councillor Stephanie Plante, who represents Rideau-Vanier, spoke about her personal connection to the Snowsuit Fund before describing some of the new immigrant families she has met while campaigning for re-election. Many have never experienced an Ottawa winter. While children may be excited by the arrival of snow, their families can be completely unprepared—and many simply lack the means to outfit their children with the winter clothing they need.
In the end, though, it is all about the children.
A big part of the Snowsuit Fund’s success comes from something as simple as allowing children to choose their own snowsuit—with Mom or Dad providing the final nod of approval.
Past Chair Sylvie Bigras describes the joy she sees in children’s eyes when they realize they get to make the choice themselves. It not only gives them a sense of pride and ownership, but that spark of excitement reminds Snowsuit Fund staff and volunteers of the difference they are making.
It is a moment that played out 21,315 times last year—and one that shows just how much a warm winter coat can mean to a child.
To donate to the Snowsuit Fund, visit its website, where you can also find information about upcoming fundraising initiatives, including the 50/50 draw and the Snowball.
Header image: (left to right) Brian MacGregor, owner of Browns Cleaners, and Ray Skaff, Chair of the Snowsuit Fund Board, present a snowsuit to Aleeyah, who is accompanied by her father.
