Summer has barely started and most people are not thinking about children being dressed for winter weather, but Groupe Action and its Family Centres/Les Maisons de la famille are already preparing their annual Snowsuit Campaign to ensure children from across Prescott and Russell counties have something warm to wear next winter.
Valérie Chevalier, who coordinates the Snowsuit Campaign said they are beginning the campaign earlier this year because they are working with new wholesale distributors who are providing the snowsuits. She said the campaign provided 430 snowsuits in 2024, which was an increase of 100 from 2023. Chevalier said they are anticipating they will distribute 500 snowsuits in 2025. The annual campaign began in 2005. The 2025 campaign begins on Monday, June 16 and registration will open on Friday, June 20. Children aged zero to 12 are eligible to receive a snowsuit if their parents qualify. The Snowsuit Campaign serves all municipalities of Prescott and Russell except for Alfred and Plantagenet where another community organization provides a similar service.
The Snowsuit Campaign is not government-subsidized and relies entirely on the generosity of our community. Monetary donations are accepted from individuals, businesses, and all community organizations.
All snowsuits given to eligible children are totally new. They are usually distributed near the beginning of the winter season but Chevalier said distribution continued into February of the previous winter. Many of the families needing snowsuits have recently arrived in Canada and are not used to winter weather.
“We get a lot of newcomers,” Chevalier said.
Groupe Action Executive Director Judith Gour said they are encouraging families to register online for the Snowsuit Campaign as it will make the application and distribution process more efficient.
Snowsuit needs are usually the greatest at the Hawkesbury Family Centre, which also serves Vankleek Hill and L’Orignal.
The other Groupe Action Family Centres/Les Maisons de la famille which distribute snowsuits through the Snowsuit Campaign are in Rockland and Embrun.
To register for the Groupe Action Snow Suit Campaign and to find out how to contribute, go to https://www.groupeaction.ca/our-services/snowsuit-campaign.
