What started with a single $5 donation has now become an annual tradition for Owen Hewett, a 12-year-old from Napanee, Ont., who is passionate about ensuring less fortunate children have appropriate winter wear each Christmas.
When Owen was three, his dad, Darren, mentioned that there were families who couldn’t afford to provide their children with proper cold-weather attire. Moved after hearing that, Owen decided to donate $5 for mittens.
“I felt bad for kids who had cold hands and ears all the time, so I wanted to help,” Owen shares.
A Yearly Tradition
His father thought it would be a one-time donation, but as they enter the 10th year of their annual fundraiser, that has clearly not been the case.
“A friend of mine who is a local business owner donated $50 towards our efforts that first year. At that moment, we thought it would be a good idea to raise funds every year and here we are 10 years later,” Darren says.
Each year, donations increase, and the initiative continues to gain momentum. In 2025, Owen collected just over $4,400 to purchase mittens, toques and other cold-weather essentials for children in need.
“Usually around mid-November, we record a video reminding people about the fundraiser. My dad posts it on Facebook and the donations just start to come in,” Owen adds.
Partnership with The Salvation Army
To ensure these items reach children from families experiencing financial insecurity, Owen has partnered with The Salvation Army in Napanee in the past couple of years to assist with distribution.
“We reached out to Abigail Mills at The Salvation Army and asked her if our donation would fit any initiative they were doing. She said they were collecting snowsuits and boots, but they didn’t have mittens, so we decided that is exactly how we wanted to help,” Darren says.
Owen’s donation of hats and mitts helped The Salvation Army, in part, to provide winter gear for 250 local children this year.
Large fundraisers such as Owen’s help The Salvation Army redirect additional funds toward other programs and services within the community.
Community Impact
Although Owen has not had the opportunity to meet any of the kids he has helped, he has heard from school staff who described his initiative as heartwarming.
Despite the high cost of living in Napanee in recent years, the generosity of its people has remained strong.
“No matter how much people may struggle, they still always help this cause. It’s amazing,” Darren shares.
“We tend to get an additional $500 each year,” Owen says. “The custodian at my school donated this year.”
Looking ahead, for Owen, the goal remains the same.
“I just want to see people with enough winter clothes and be warm,” he says.
By Juan Romero