A heartwarming community event saw hundreds of stuffed animals rain down onto the ice in Calgary this past weekend. The annual Teddy Bear Toss, a beloved holiday tradition, successfully collected approximately 300 plush toys for children in need.
A Community Effort on the Ice
The event was hosted on Sunday morning at the Max Bell arena through a partnership between two local organizations: HEROS Hockey and North Star Cares. These groups joined forces to create a special game where fans were encouraged to bring new teddy bears and other stuffed animals to throw onto the playing surface after the first goal was scored.
The collected bears are not staying at Max Bell. In a gesture of further community support, all 300 plush toys will be donated to the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. The Hitmen will integrate these bears with the thousands more collected at their own renowned Teddy Bear Toss game, which took place later on Sunday afternoon.
Spreading Holiday Cheer Across the City
This collaborative approach amplifies the impact of the charitable drive. By pooling their resources, HEROS Hockey, North Star Cares, and the Calgary Hitmen ensure a wider distribution of holiday cheer to hospitals, shelters, and social service agencies throughout the city during the festive season.
The event highlights the powerful role sports organizations can play in supporting their local communities. The Teddy Bear Toss has become a staple in Canadian hockey culture, and this early-season initiative at Max Bell arena demonstrates how the tradition can be adapted and expanded through partnerships.
The successful collection of 300 bears provides a significant boost to the annual campaign, ensuring more children will receive a comforting gift this winter. The event serves as a reminder of Calgary's strong spirit of generosity and community collaboration.
