Rangers to Conduct Teddy Bear Toss

December 3, 2008 - North American Hockey League (NAHL)
Marquette Rangers News Release


Marquette - The Marquette Rangers will be conducting the teams' first ever "Teddy Bear Toss" this Friday night when they take the ice against the U.S. National Team Development Program. Once collected, the team will take all the stuffed animals to the Marquette General Foundation to be distributed among pediatric related units within Marquette General Health Systems.

"We're very excited about this opportunity to have some fun with our fans and to help local kids," said Rangers spokesman Mark Evans.

"Other groups have conducted similar toy drives in the past, and we certainly don't want to take away from their efforts and the groups that they support. But unlike many toy drives where the animals go to charity, our bears and animals will go directly to kids who are in the hospital and away from family and friends."

Evans added that some of the toys will go to help kids who may be facing serious distress and trauma.

"We've been told that MGH EMS has requested some of the animals to have for their ambulance crews. I have two kids, and I know nothing calms a frightened child quite like a furry new friend. Sadly, some of these kids might be facing a scary situation with a sick or injured family member right in their own home, the place where they're supposed to feel the safest. If crews in the field have these animals with them, that can go a long way to helping the situation."

The only requirement is that the animals be new, and that the store tags be attached if at all possible.

When and how the teddy bears are tossed at the game will also have a different twist to it. Fans are asked to hold their animals until the Rangers score their first goal of the game. To celebrate the goal, fans are asked to toss their animals out on to the ice. The Rangers players will then collect and bag the animals from the ice for distribution at the MGH Foundation.

Fans with questions may contact Evans by email at mevans@marquetterangers.com



North American Hockey League Stories from December 3, 2008


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