A couple that left a lasting impression on the Brooke Alvinston community will be honoured in true Canadian fashion this weekend.
The 10th annual Hayter Memorial hockey tournament will take place on Friday and Saturday at the Brooke Alvinston Inwood Community Complex.
Firefighters from 10 departments, including many local ones and from as far as New Jersey and Toronto, will compete.
The tournament is held in memory of Jim and Mary Louise Hayter, who passed away within two weeks of each other in 2017.
Jim was the Brooke Alvinston fire chief for 15 years as well as a 44 year member of the department while Mary Louise was very involved in the community on council and many community organizations.
Spokesman Ron McCabe, who is also a former Brooke Alvinston fire chief, said he learned a lot from Jim over the years.
"He's the guy that taught me what it is, the other parts of being a firefighter," said McCabe. "It's not just about showing up and getting in the big red truck and that side of it. It's also about getting together with your other departments, fundraising for different events, and honouring those that have passed, that were former members."
McCabe said proceeds raised benefit Camp Bucko as well as the local Legion and 3 Oaks Cabin, which gives first responders a place to take a mental break.
He said they've raised over $110,000 to date, noting Camp Bucko is a worthwhile organization that helps hundreds of kids.
"Camp Bucko is a kids camp, fully volunteer, driven by firefighters and EMS and other volunteers that go down," he said. "Kids that have been injured in burn accidents across Ontario, we actually have a former firefighter that was one of those kids many years ago. These kids get a chance to come to a camp, get the attention they need, depending on their injuries. For a week, they get to be just kids and hang out with other kids and share their stories."
Instead of charging an admission fee, donations of canned food will be accepted at the door in support of the Alvinston Food Bank.
Games will be at 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. Friday, with opening ceremonies set for 8 p.m.
Action continues all day Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
You can visit their Facebook page for all of the information.
