For years, the Elmira Sugar Kings have held their annual teddy bear toss at a home game late in the month of November.

The teddy bears were part of a toy drive for Woolwich Community Services’ Christmas food hampers and would be distributed across the township to families less fortunate. This year however there will be no teddy bear toss; instead the hockey club is asking fans to bring new hat, gloves, mittens and scarves to throw onto the ice when Elmira scores its first goal of the game.

“Woolwich Community Services have requested that we don’t do a teddy bear toss for the annual toy drive: they felt the hats and mittens were needed more,” said Paul Jennings, general manager of the Kings. “With the colder weather coming there are kids in our community that unfortunately don’t have a lot and are in need of warm winter clothing like the hats, gloves and scarves. We want help out as much as we can.”

The hat and mitten toss is happening this Sunday when the Kings take on the Brampton Bombers during an afternoon game at the Dan Snyder Arena.

“We’re hoping for a really good turnout to this week’s home game and hopefully we will be able to deliver a lot of good-quality winter clothing to WCS,” said Jennings.

The Peewee AE Woolwich team will be waiting patiently for the first goal by the Kings before they rush the ice to pick up all the clothing articles thrown into the arena.

A truck will then be brought out onto the ice and once it is full, it will then deliver the much needed winter clothing to the WCS office in Elmira.

The hat and mitten toss is scheduled for the 2 p.m. game at the Woolwich Memorial Centre.