The Hershey Bears received overwhelming mascot support during their recent annual Teddy Bear Toss event. On Sunday, Jan. 5, the ice hockey team broke their previous world record by having 100,000 bears thrown onto the ice rink, surpassing the 74,599 bears tossed last year.
A video shared on Instagram by the Hershey team captured the moment when numerous stuffed animals were hurled over the glass in celebration of the team’s first goal against the Providence Bruins. The event has gained worldwide recognition and is described as a must-see spectacle in a press release from the Hershey Bears.
Hershey forward Mike Sgarbossa scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal at 14:45 of the first period, tying the game against Providence at 1-1 and triggering the cascade of teddy bears onto the ice. Players such as right winger Pierrick Dubé and goaltender Clay Stevenson joined in the fun by jumping on top of the plush toys.
Following the early celebration, the Hershey Bears went on to secure a 5-1 victory in the game, which had a sold-out crowd of 10,514 in attendance. The Teddy Bear Toss has been a charitable tradition since 2001, with this year’s event bringing the total number of collected teddy bears to 566,450.
The stuffed animals from Sunday’s toss will be donated to more than 35 local charities as part of the Hershey Bears Cares program. Some of the local and regional organizations that will benefit from the donations include Vista Autism Services, Schreiber Pediatric, Central PA Food Bank, Off the Streets, Gigi’s Playhouse Lancaster, Milton and Catherine Hershey Schools, and Autism Society Greater Harrisburg Area.
The Hershey Bears’ annual Teddy Bear Toss event continues to be a heartwarming tradition that not only delights fans but also serves the community through charitable donations and support for various organizations.
