Rats Toy Drive and Teddy Bear Toss Kick off this Weekend

Published on November 27, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


Albany N.Y. – The Albany River Rats today announced the club will hold a Holiday Toy Drive and Teddy Bear Toss to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region. The kickoff is Saturday, November 30TH when the Albany River Rats host the Rochester Americans in a 7:00p.m. face-off at Pepsi Arena. The drive will take place from Saturday night through the River Rats' game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on December 8TH at 4:00p.m.

"The River Rats remain committed to serving our community and teaming with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region was a natural fit," River Rats President/CEO S. Garen Szablewski said. "We are pleased to have the support of our players and their families in making this Holiday Season a special one."

The Albany River Rats and their families will collect new and unwrapped toys on the Pepsi Arena concourse near the Advance Auto Parts Fan Relations Center during home games on Nov. 30TH, Dec. 4TH, Dec. 6TH & Dec. 8TH. Fans that bring unwrapped toys will receive a raffle ticket for each toy donated and the prize drawing will be held at the Teddy Bear Toss game on December 8TH.

Patrons can participate in the Teddy Bear Toss where plush toys are tossed from the crowd onto the ice during an intermission to be entered into a separate prize drawing. Raffle numbers will be attached to all plush toys at the Families of the Albany River Rats Table prior to December 8TH. Winners will be chosen from the toys on the ice surface and the prize winners from both raffles will win autographed merchandise and other great prizes.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region provides comfort, support, and respite for families of seriously ill children. The organization provides a home-like environment with the Ronald McDonald House of Albany and the Family Room in the Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, and awards grants to various programs in the community that strive to enhance the lives of children.

"We cannot express how much the Ronald McDonald House appreciates this support from the Albany River Rats," said Diane Cameron, Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities. "It means so much to see the River Rats families helping other families in the greater Capital Region because it teaches the important lesson of giving to our youth."

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