Children at the YMCA Chippewa Early Learning Child Care Centre were all smiles when receiving teddy bears and other plush toys from North Bay Battalion players, Owen Van Steensel, Tnias Mathurin, and Anthony Romani as a part of The Brick Teddy Bear Toss.
“The generosity of Battalion fans was on full display this year as we collected lots of stuffed animals from the ice of our The Brick Teddy Bear Toss in early December,” said Stuart Macleod, Battalion Manager of Community Relations. “I’m glad the players got to have some fun with the kids and hand out our last few bears.”
At the December 8th game against the Soo Greyhounds, fans were asked to toss a new teddy bear or plush toy onto the ice in what’s become an annual event: The Brick Teddy Bear Toss.
Battalion staff worked hard to get the cheerful bears into the hands of children in the community before Christmas. The YMCA was able to help distribute to children in care at YMCA Child Care locations in the area.
“The children in our child care programs were so excited to receive a teddy bear or stuffy leading up to Christmas," stated Sherry Ricci, YMCA Manager of Child, Youth, & Family Development.
Teddy bears are named in honour of President Theodore Roosevelt, after he refused to shoot a bear tied to a tree during a Mississippi hunting trip in November 1902.
