What a relief to event organizers that the wicked winter storm showed up more than fashionably late to last night’s SnowBall, a perennially popular gala dedicated to raising funds to ensure all children in our city have access to snowsuits.

By today, the blizzard made its belated point quite clear: Ottawa winters can be brutal, and no child should be left unprepared.

Thanks to the Snowsuit Fund, they don’t have to. Never has the demand for snowsuits been greater in the 40-plus year history of the charity. “We’re seeing an unprecedented need,” said Snowsuit Fund board chair Martin G. Masse, a senior law partner at sponsor Norton Rose Fulbright, in an interview at last night’s gala.

The organization has already distributed more than 19,000 snowsuits this season — nearly 3,000 more than its annual average.  “We’re in a position where, thankfully, we can meet that need,” said Masse, citing factors such as a growing population, an influx of new Canadians, a longer and colder winter, and the rising cost of living.

A sold-out crowd of 450 gathered at the downtown Ottawa Art Gallery | Galerie d’art d’Ottawa for a massive fundraising party that spanned three floors. There were culinary food and drink stations, multiple lounge areas, photo booths and beauty bar, and DJs. Optimal Show Experience, KoW Connected, Mediaplus Advertising, Amanda Julia Events and Avant-Garde Designs were among the local companies that created a vibe that was fun, chic and exciting (it also helped to have glamorous celebrity couple John Nelson and Justine Eyre Nelson in attendance).

Most of the action happened in the Alma Duncan Salon, where the Electric Company band played all night — except for when auctioneer Ryan E. Watson from Raising the Bid took to the stage between musical sets to sell off some exciting experiences.

Boutique IT-support company Intega IT, led by president and CEO John Robinson, came on as presenting sponsor. He attended with a bunch of fellow young business leaders, including Nik Lemieux, CEO of Mirable Management, which was also a sponsor. The cause has attracted new supporters in recent years, with Trexity CEO and co-founder Alok Ahuja also part of that next generation.

Kayla Humen of Stittsville-based children’s store Humen Kind was also a big sponsor. The Snowsuit Fund was part of her life for a couple of years when she was growing up, after her parents’ marriage ended and her mom needed a bit of help. “It’s a full circle moment for me to give back to a cause that was there for me,”  said Humen.

Serving as event co-chairs were Lauren Parkes (CAA North & East Ontario), Lise Clément (Lansdowne Technologies) and Jon Sinden(Nine Brains & Three Hearts), all of whom sit on the Snowsuit Fund board.

Sinden first attended SnowBall in 2020, shortly after moving to Ottawa from Toronto. “I kind of fell in love with the event,” said the promotions and marketing consultant, who continued to attend and support the cause once  it returned post-pandemic. “By the second time, I was like, ‘Okay, this is a really good event. I should look at getting more involved.”

Sinden said his own experience with Ottawa’s cold climate made him better appreciate the importance of snowsuits for kids. During his first winter here, he was shocked  to see one of his Old Ottawa South neighbours strap on cross-country skis, following a heavy snowfall, and ski down the street. “I thought, ‘Maybe this is the kind of town that embraces winter’,” said Sinden, who’s since become a winter sports enthusiast himself.

The live auction was hugely successful. A private cocktail party for six, with small plates and pairings, to be prepared by Restaurant E18hteen executive chef David Godsoe , was bought by Paul Amirault, a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright.

A Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas sparked a bidding war, selling twice for $3,600 to the two highest bidders, one of whom was award-winning entrepreneur Sheena Brady, founder at Tease. It was donated by long-time Snowsuit Fund board member Susan Dennison’s Expedia Cruises.

Attendees also bid on an Ottawa Senators 100-level private suite donated by the hockey club, and a second cruise, also from Expedia Cruises, to Iceland. It sold to the two highest bidders, at $7,500 each.

One of the night’s luckiest winners was Simran Kochar, who, after buying a single raffle ticket, ended up winning the grand trip to the Yukon. It was donated by Air North and Lansdowne Consulting. It’ll be her first time to that region of Canada, and a trip she might want to take in the summer —  when the Yukon lives up to its nickname, Land of the Midnight Sun.

Chef and beverage stations included Restaurant E18hteen, Thyme & Again, Mādahòkì, Heart & Crown, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, Raphaël Peruvian Cuisine, Dunrobin Distilleries, Split Tree Cocktail Co. and Kichesippi Beer Co.