The Teddy Bear Toss season is rapidly coming in full swing with teams racing to gather the most stuffed animals as possible. The Oil Kings want new records.
Edmonton’s Oil Kings have announced that their annual Teddy Bear Toss event will be held on December 5th 2015 at the game against the Swift Current Broncos. The stuffed animals will be donated to 630 CHED Santas Anonumous and fans are asked to bring stuffies to the game. They should be thrown down onto the ice when the Oil Kings score their first goal of the game.
“Time and time again, Oil Country has proven itself to be exceedingly generous. The people of Edmonton and northern Alberta never miss the chance to show their charitable spirit, and it’s because of that spirit that the Teddy Bear Toss continues to grow and be a success,” said Kevin Radomski, director of business operations with the Edmonton Oil Kings in a statement.
Last season’s Teddy Bear Toss was the most successful for the team. 14 066 people in attendance (which was one of the biggest crowds ever) threw a total of 11 492 stuffed animals onto the ice. Over the past eight seasons more than 70 000 fans have donated 49 219 stuffies to Santas Anonymous. .“We really want to challenge our fans this year to bring a bear if you’re coming to the game. No one should show up empty handed. You wouldn’t go to a Halloween party without a costume on, right? So don’t forget to bring a bear to the Teddy Bear Toss”, Radomski adds.
For the game the team will be wearing special jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. The proceeds will also go to Santas Anonymous. Just last year, the jerseys raised an additional $22 635 for the organization. .“When you add to the stuffed animals the proceeds from the 50/50, Chuck-A-Puck and jersey auction, the Teddy Bear Toss is one of the top annual events for 630 CHED Santas Anonymous. The awareness about the program is invaluable,” said Lana Nordlund, executive director of 630 CHED Santas Anonymous.
Elsewhere the teams have already held their Teddy Bear Toss events. Just this past week the Alaska Aces’ fans threw about 5000 stuffed animals onto the ice at the game with Utah Grizzlies. The San Diego Gulls and the San Jose Barracuda game also brought a lot of stuffed animals to charity. The numbers are still not available, but amongst the highlights was a giant teddy bear that took several people and player from the teams to get over the boards and onto the ice.
Teams say more and more people love to come to the special games and participate in the Teddy Bear Toss. If you have that opportunity, it is something you wouldn’t want to miss.
