OTTAWA, Ont. — Thanks to the generosity of our listeners and corporate sponsors, the Snowsuit Fund Radiothon raised $207, 310 – enough to keep more than 5,180 children warm this winter.

From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. listeners to CHEZ 106, Y101 and KISS FM called in and donated to The Snowsuit Fund through the day-long fundraising event. Last year’s Radiothon raised more than $170,000.

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.”

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.

“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.