thanks to Bob P.
A professional ice hockey team in Pennsylvania broke a franchise record last week, not for goals scored, but for the number of teddy bears tossed onto the ice by fans to help local kids.
The plush pandemonium broke out in the second period as the Hershey Bears scored a goal to trigger the annual Teddy Bear Toss that collects toys for charity—while the announcer screamed, “Let the sweet cuddly mayhem commence!”
The exuberant downpour of plushies began 4 minutes into the second period at the Giant Center last week, with 74,599 stuffed toys raining down.
“You see it on video, but when you’re actually part of it, it was amazing. Just an incredible sight,” said Bears coach Todd Nelson.
“First, you’re celebrating the goal, and then you start getting pelted with bears,” said new Hershey player Chase Priskie, experiencing the event for the first time. “It’s just a phenomenal atmosphere when tens of thousands of bears start raining down on you.”
The event surpassed the club’s previous record of 67,309 teddies collected last year for donation to more than 35 local charities as part of the club’s Hershey Bears Cares program.
Since its inception in 2001, the tradition has collected nearly a half million cuddly creatures for children in need. Click here to view: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C10H1WwMMMx/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=810&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodnewsnetwork.org&rp=%2Fannual-hockey-charity-teddy-bear-toss-breaks-record%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1713.7999999523163%2C%22ls%22%3A975.8999999761581%2C%22le%22%3A1460.6999999284744%7D
The Sweigart Family Foundation also donated $55,000 to Children’s Miracle Network in Hershey to recognize the efforts of local fans this year.
Based in the town of Hershey, The Bears would go on to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms—after a 40 minute delay to cart off all the toys—improving their AHL-best record to 29-7-0- this season.