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Stockton Thunder Fans Let Fur Fly for Charity

January 18, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Stockton Thunder News Release


STOCKTON, Calif. - The Stockton Thunder announced its official count of 3,655 bears for this year's Teddy Bear Toss held Saturday, January 13.

Members of the Thunder staff, Thunder defenseman Jason Beckett and United Way staff and volunteers spent Wednesday morning counting the thousands of bears and other stuffed animals before distributing the first batch of toys to students from the Transitional Learning Center during a lunchtime pizza party at the United Way headquarters.

This year's toss, sponsored by News 10, Jackson Rancheria, California Water Service Company, KAT Country and California Welding Supply Company, began when left wing Mike Lalonde scored at the 4:24 mark of the second period on a pass from center Nathan Martz. When the horn sounded, the sell-out crowd threw bears, bunnies, frogs and other stuffed animals of all shapes and sizes onto the ice. The team, along with volunteers from the United Way, Stockton Fire Department, Stockton Arena staff members and trucks courtesy of Zamora Automotive Group, cleared the ice in less than 10 minutes.

"This is definitely one of the major highlights of our season," said Brenda Bryant, Director of Communications for the Stockton Thunder. "Our fans have been amazing with the way they support and participate in all of the charitable things we do, but the way they respond to the teddy bear toss is the most amazing of all. I've spoken to some fans that set aside stuffed animals all throughout the year, just waiting to bring them on Teddy Toss Night."

"The Stockton Thunder annual Teddy Bear Toss provides a 'make your heart feel great' moment for everyone that gets involved," said Andy Prokop, president of the United Way of San Joaquin County.

In what is quickly becoming a Stockton Thunder Teddy Bear Toss tradition, the biggest "bear" of the night was over five feet tall and took several minutes to pass through the crowd before reaching ice level. Last year's bear is on permanent display at the Children's Museum of Stockton. A final home for this year's biggest donation, a giant Scooby Doo, brought by Thunder off-ice official Danny Helms, has yet to be determined.

The stuffed animals collected this year will once again be distributed by the United Way to various charities and programs throughout the Central Valley, including local children's charities, hospices and to the Stockton police and fire departments to help with some of their special outreach programs.

While the game itself ended with a 6-1 win for the Thunder over the Bakersfield Condors that night, the team feels the real victory comes from being able to help those less fortunate in the community.

"Every time we do something like this, it really spotlights just how compassionate our fans are," Bryant said. "They help us reach out to so many people with their generosity. The look on the children's faces when they get to pick out a toy is just incredible, and most of our fans give without ever expecting to see that in person."

The Thunder currently has ticket packages available which feature many of the top promotional nights starting as low as $65. For more information about tickets, merchandise, or other inquiries contact the Stockton Thunder offices at (209) 373-1500 or visit www.stocktonthunder.com.



ECHL Stories from January 18, 2007


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