OTTAWA, Ont. — More than 15,000 Ottawa children will need help staying warm when the bitter winds and snow arrive this winter, and the Snowsuit Fund will be there to help.

The charity provides hats, gloves, boots and of course snowsuits to children from families where money is tight or who are new to Canada. Last year, 15,655 snowsuits were distributed.

Dean Usher, chair of the Ottawa Snowsuit Fund, told 1310News the outpouring of community support has allowed them to make sure no child in the city goes without a snowsuit.

“We’re in a great situation now. We’ve got a lot of great corporate supporters so we’re able to raise the funds,” said Usher. “But the early days, it was just meeting the need one at a time and we’ve grown into a much larger organization now.”

Single mother Melanie Barbeau has used the service for the last 15 years to dress her three children for the winter.

“It takes a great deal of pressure off us knowing that there is that help there,” said Barbeau. “We can take that extra little bit of money and spend it elsewhere with our children, like nicer winter boots and more mitts, more hats or an extra activity.”

Ottawa Senators defenceman Chris Phillips was at Wednesday’s kickoff event with his wife Erin to present the first official snowsuit to Camille, 3, who immediately smiled after he was dressed in the red Sens coat.

“It really is truly hard to believe that there are this many kids in need in our community,” said Erin Phillips. “Then you see a kid that is so grateful and so appreciative. It really warms your heart to be able to see a kid being able to go outside, play in the snow and enjoy our climate.”

This was Chris’ first time attending the event.  Normally at this time of year, he’s busy with the start of the NHL season.

Donations can be made at local Canadian Tire locations, Brown’s Cleaners stores or at the Snowsuit Fund Depot at 225 Donald St. The depot is open every Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Snowsuit Fund Radiothon will also be held again this year on CHEZ 106, Y101 and KISS FM on December 12 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can listen, call in and donate to The Snowsuit Fund through the day-long fundraising event, hosted by Rogers Radio.

“Our motto is that no child will go cold so we’ve been able to satisfy the need with the generous support of all our supporters,” said Usher.

Click here to make an online donation.