Teddy Bear Toss returns to Kingsford hockey game next week

IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WJMN) – The fifth annual Bring-a-Bear teddy bear toss will return next week at a Kingsford Flivvers hockey game as part of First National Bank & Trust. The goal of the annual event is to collect new stuffed animals to donate to local emergency responders, charities and crisis centers.

The draw will take place on Tuesday, November 22, with a match between Kingsford and the Escanaba Eskymos beginning at 6 p.m. central time at Mountain View Ice Arena in Iron Mountain.

Admission to the game will cost $1 for anyone who brings a stuffed animal to give away. The toys will be thrown onto the ice once the Flivvers score their first goal of the game.

“Talking to our local emergency responders and hearing their touching stories of the truly positive effects of giving a child a stuffed animal during an emergency reiterates why First National Bank & Trust created the Teddy Bear Project “said Matthew Lutz, First National Bank & Trust. Financial director. “It hit me very close to home a few years ago when I was in the ER with my son, and I saw his face light up when he was handed a stuffed animal. is for these reasons that we are excited to continue to grow this wonderful family event and hope to break our previous plush toy collection records.

Additionally, the ‘Chuck-a-Puck’ game normally scheduled for the evening will be replaced for the evening with ‘Air-the-Bear’, in which participants can purchase a chance to throw a numbered bear and attempt to hit the center ice cream for prizes. all proceeds from the game will benefit the Flivver Hockey program.

“KHS Hockey is proud to be part of the Teddy Bear Toss event; it’s a fun time and helps so many kids during a crisis in our community,” said Greg Wadge, head coach of the varsity hockey team at Kingsford High School. “Plus having all those teddy bears thrown on the ice during a game adds extra excitement and we’re grateful to our fans and happy to help out the community.”

First National Bank & Trust added the following about the event in a statement:

Since its inception in 2017, Project Teddy Bear has donated over 1,500 new plush toys to local organizations. The Teddy Bear Project is part of First National Bank & Trust’s ongoing dedication to supporting and strengthening our community. The toy drive will continue throughout December and contributions will be collected at First National Bank & Trust’s downtown office at 233 S. Stephenson Ave.