Using their heads to combat homelessness

NEW?GLASGOW?- It may have been cold Saturday morning, but it didn't stop Terry Steeves from smiling.
"It's perfect weather for selling a toque," Steeves said, holding a fistful of gray and red toques. "People don't want toques when it's warm."
Steeves and other members of the Pictou County Roots for Youth organization were set up outside Central Supplies to sell toques as part of the Raising the Roof youth homelessness campaign.
"People are familiar with the campaign - there are ads on TV right now - so they're being very supportive," Steeves added.
In just an hour and a half, they'd already managed to sell more than 20 toques, but there are many more to go.
"People are very supportive," Steeves said.
The hats will serve as their own awareness campaign as well. Embroidered with a picture of a house, it's a reminder that not everyone has a home.
The majority of the money for the toques will remain in Pictou County to help the Pictou County Roots for Youth upcoming awareness campaign.
"We have a strategic plan that's coming out the first week of February, so with this money, we can start on that," said Christina Adamson. "We visualize eventually having a drop-in shelter with bed capacity, where young people can turn."
Toques are currently available at the United Way office on Stewart Street in New Glasgow, or by calling 755-1754. Members of the group also plan to sell the toques at the three high schools and at the Nova Scotia Community College campus in the near future.
The toques cost a minimum $10 donation and will be available until the end of February.