The Hershey Bears held their annual Teddy Bear Toss Night Sunday night against the Providence Bruins, presented by WGAL and Northwest Savings Bank. Forward Matt Watkins scored the first goal of the night, firing a wrist shot following a pass from recently assigned forward Michael Latta. The tally was Watkins’ first as a Hershey Bear, coming 4:52 into the second frame. 12,980 Teddy Bears were collected by Hershey Bears Hockey Club Sunday night.
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After the goal, thousands of Teddy Bears were heaved on the ice by the Hershey faithful. Defenseman Tomas Kundratek and former Hershey forward Graham Mink scored the first goal for Hershey in the previous two Teddy Bear Toss events.
There were 12,497 bears donated to regional charities at the 2012 Teddy Bear Toss. The Hershey Junior Bears, a nonprofit partner of the Hershey Bears, help collect the bears on the ice by the fans after the first home goal is scored.
“The Teddy Bears Toss has become a popular annual tradition,” said Doug Yingst, President and GM of the Hershey Bears in a press release leading up to the Teddy Bear Toss. “Our loyal fans enjoy the event knowing that needy children will appreciate the toys throughout the holiday season.”
Organizations Collecting Teddy Bears
- Children’s Miracle Network
- BELCO Federal Credit Union
- Army National Reserves
- Ronald McDonald House
- Children’s Cancer Recovery Foundation
- Palmyra Lions Club
- Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute
- St. Joan of Arch Church
- Elstonville Motorcycle Club
- Harrisburg Catholic Charities
- Pepsi
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