A dedicated Calgary Hitmen fan is spearheading a heartwarming campaign to ensure this year's annual Teddy Bear Toss is a record-breaking success. Shannon Crystal Fox, who calls herself the "crazy stuffed animal lady," has set an ambitious personal goal of contributing over 700 plush toys to the iconic event this Sunday.
A Decades-Long Tradition of Giving
The beloved tradition will see tens of thousands of stuffed animals rain down onto the ice at the Scotiabank Saddledome on December 7, 2025, when the Hitmen host the Wenatchee Wild. The overarching goal for the event is to collect a staggering 30,000 teddy bears and stuffed animals, all of which will be donated to various children's charities and organizations across the region.
Fox's involvement is no last-minute effort. She has been participating in the toss for nearly two decades, with her collection efforts growing exponentially each year. "Last year we collected 705 bears, so we're trying to reach that goal this year," Fox stated. She reported being almost halfway to her target, with close to 300 bears already gathered.
The Year-Round Hunt for Gently Loved Bears
Fox's impressive haul comes from a meticulous and year-round collection strategy. She relies on donations from her network of friends and family, but her efforts extend far beyond. A key part of her routine is visiting the Women In Need Society (WINS) thrift store on the first Wednesday of every month to carefully select gently used plush toys.
"I collect all year round," Fox explained. "I go to Women in Need, and siphon out and get the best bears as possible, wash them, clean them, (and) fluff them up." This dedication ensures every donated bear is in perfect condition to bring comfort to a new owner.
She credits her husband, Brian Adare, as her indispensable partner in the mission. "He drives like all over. We've been as far as Cochrane, Chestermere, you name it," Fox said with appreciation, noting his support despite thinking she's "a little bear crazy."
The Personal Drive Behind the Piles of Plush
For Fox, the motivation is deeply personal and rooted in a simple desire to provide comfort. She has cherished her own teddy bear for 47 years and understands the profound solace a soft toy can bring, especially to a child facing difficult circumstances.
"Just knowing that a kid at the Children's Hospital or all the other organizations they go to will have a bear, it to me is very, very important," Fox shared. "I've seen firsthand kids in hospital or they don't have bears... I just want to make sure every kid gets one."
What began as a simple gesture of bringing "a couple bears" to the inaugural toss has evolved into a major philanthropic operation. Her ambition grew naturally: "I was like; 'okay, if I can do like four or five, I can do ten, and so on and so on.'" Now, with a personal target of over 700, Fox is a driving force behind one of Calgary's most cherished holiday traditions, embodying the community spirit that makes the Teddy Bear Toss a perennial success.
