Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Hershey Bears celebrated another successful Teddy Bear Toss on Sunday (January 4) at the GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Fans of the Bears, known for their dedication, threw 81,796 stuffed animals onto the ice after Louie Belpedio scored the first goal against the Rockford IceHogs just 2:55 into the game. The event, a beloved tradition since 2001, collects stuffed animals for local charities.
The collected stuffed animals will be distributed to over 60 local and regional organizations, including the Harrisburg School District, Gigi's Playhouse Lancaster, and the Milton and Catherine Hershey Schools, as part of the Hershey Bears Cares initiative. The event also supports the Children's Miracle Network at Golisano Children's Hospital. The GIANT Company pledged a $100,000 donation if fans surpassed last year's total, honoring the late Jeff Sweigart, a devoted Bears fan.
The Bears, who hold the world record for the most stuffed animals collected at a Teddy Bear Toss, continue to engage the community with this heartwarming event. Head coach Derek King expressed his excitement, saying, "It's unbelievable... I've never been a part of anything like that." The Bears won the game 5-2, with Graeme Clarke achieving a hat trick.
Hershey Bears, PennLive, and OurSports Central reported on the event.