Get ready to toss a teddy — the annual Grande Prairie Storm Teddy Bear Toss goes Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. when the Grande Prairie Storm face the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
The toss works like this: when the Storm score their first goal, fans throw a new, wrapped stuffed animal onto the ice. All bears collected are donated to the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation.
Last year, fans tossed roughly 600 stuffed animals onto the ice. Executive director Nicole Menzies said this is one of her favourite nights of the season. “I’m so excited, this is one of my favourite nights of the year for a couple of reasons, one being the anticipation of who is gonna get the goal, and when is it going to happen, number two because it’s for such a great cause.”
Menzies added the event is about more than fun — it supports children who visit the hospital. “The Grande Prairie Regional Hospital sees over 10,000 children a year, and just knowing we can be a part of something that provides a little tiny bit of comfort in such a hard time for them is pretty amazing.”
The night also gives fans a chance to watch the Storm take on the Pontiacs, with puck drop slated for 7 p.m.
