The 4th annual Guns N’ Hoses charity hockey game is happening this weekend, and local folk in uniform are looking forward to lacing up for a good cause.
The match, held on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Sportsplex, sees Terrace and area firefighters face off against the local RCMP.
But the match isn’t just a battle of the uniforms, it’s a chance to raise money for local kids sports and recreation through the Jumpstart program.
“All the funds stay local,” said firefighter Jeff Minhinnick, noting that they’ve raised roughly $20,000 over the years.
“It’s all gone towards Terrace and local youth,” he said.
Jumpstart is a charitable program created by Canadian Tire that helps financially disadvantaged kids participate in organized sport and recreation.
The program helps cover registration, equipment and transportation costs, if needed – and, like Minhinnick said, one hundred per cent of the funds stay local and go right to the kids.
The program is rooted in the belief that participating in sport increases a child’s chance for success in life, according to a release detailing the event from the Terrace RCMP.
As for the day of the event and level of competition, Minhinnick says there’s a wide range of players and abilities.
The firefighters actually draw on players from Thornhill, Kitimat, and Prince Rupert because they wouldn’t have enough players otherwise.
And those hoping to catch RCMP Const. Angela Rabut in action are unfortunately out of luck, as she won’t be lacing up this year.
But the Timbits will take the ice to endear the crowd, and the audience will have many chances to win big.
There will be a puck drop, organized by the Terrace RCMP auxiliary constables, where the closest puck to the centre wins a day-long fishing charter out of Prince Rupert, and the next dozen pucks closest to the centre will also take home prizes.
And, of course, no charity hockey game would be complete without a 50/50 draw and a shoot-for-loot.
Doors are at 6 p.m., with the puck dropping at 7 p.m.