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 Tnias Mathurin (#5) and Justin Ertel (#9) as a part of The Brick Teddy Bear Toss.
"It is always humbling to see how supportive our Battalion fans are, particularly with the sheer volume of stuffed animals that were donated at The Brick Teddy Bear Toss in mid-December," said Stuart Macleod, Battalion Manager of Community Relations. "So many kids get a stuffy for the holidays thanks to our generous community, and the players had a lot of fun distributing these last few bears at the YMCA Wednesday morning."
At the December 13 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.
"All the children had such big smiles when they received a stuffed animal leading up to the Christmas holidays and I'm so happy that Tnias and Justin of the Battalion got to see the excitement first-hand," said Jackie Duhaime, YMCA Child Care Assistant Supervisor and long-time Battalion fan.
