So much for Groundhog Day.
Surrey firefighter Tim Bailey believes the first Tuesday of February every year should be known nation-wide as Toque Tuesday.
Sporting a long, woollen trench coat and a red and white toque with white spikes formed in the shape of a Mohawk-style hairdo, the self-proclaimed "Supreme Commander" keeps the mood light while calling the play by play during street hockey action at the fifth annual Toque Tuesday event to raise funds, clothing and awareness for Surrey's homeless.
The event – which took place Feb. 2 at City Hall Plaza – featured continuous hockey games involving more than 200 participants from 21 teams representing numerous social service organizations and community groups.
Each participant was expected to purchase a "Raising the Roof" toque, with all money raised going to Pacific Community Resources Society.
Along with over a truckload of cold weather and work clothing donated on Tuesday, this year the SFU hockey team also held an underwear and sock toss at one of their games, with all items collected donated to the homeless as well.
“It’s so important to have a discussion around the international day of homelessness,” said Bailey. “I want people to see that we have a lot of fun about a very serious subject.”
For more information, visit raisingtheroof.org