By Christina Clemis
The Snowsuit Fund is expanding their location by taking over the space their neighbours, the Ottawa Food Bank, once occupied, leaving the storerooms at 7 Bayview Rd. to sit empty and cold.
Elisabeth Trimm, the fund’s administrator, says she hopes to fill that space with much-needed winter suits, and achieve their goal of $700,000 this year. Last year, the same goal was set and was missed by $70,000.
“It was one thing after another,” says Trimm. “Just a combination of a bus strike, lack of school participation, and, of course, that big ice storm didn’t help either.”
Trimm says she is optimistic about this year’s campaign and, because of the extra space, has also expanded the definition of what is needed, in hope of helping more than just children up to 13 years old. The fund is looking for shirts, pants, adult jackets, and boots for all ages.
“We are appealing to people to look into their closets for winter clothes that don’t fit,” Trimm says. Parents aren’t always prepared for winter either, she says.
This year’s campaign is scheduled to kick off on Oct. 29, a week earlier than normal, and runs until January. A variety of events are planned, such as a radiothon, knit-a-thon, and silent auction.
Connie Lebrun, the fund’s fund-raiser chair, says she would like to get the local schools involved, and would also like to encourage local residents to participate however they can in this year’s fund-raiser.
“It is an issue of getting time and much-needed volunteers at this point (in organizing the campaign),” says Lebrun.
Lebrun says that there are many businesses and organizations that are getting involved this year.
Canadian Tire, local Girl Guide troops, and knitting guilds, offered to donate funds and winter items.
She adds that she hopes McDonald’s will continue their participation from last year, because they helped to raise $5,500 and 500 snowsuits.
Sue Petit, the community relations representative for McDonald’s, says McDonald’s will be supporting the Snowsuit Fund this year, by setting up drop-off boxes or coin boxes at the 23 locations in Ottawa.
“We want to give back to the communities that we serve,” Petit says.
“The fund fits with the other children’s charities that McDonald’s supports.”
She adds that McDonald’s participation in the Fund will be re-examined on a per-year basis, and will not become an annual guarantee.
Lebrun says the fund will take help and donations from anyone that will offer.
“I feel it is extremely important to congratulate those unsung heroes who support us in the little ways,” she says.
To make donations to this year’s Snowsuit Fund, call 722-6852.
The fund-raising campaign will last until January.