Steelheads to host Teddy Bear Toss for Tots on Saturday

Boise, ID (11/28/16)— The Idaho Steelheads are once again partnering with the United States Marine Corps and the Steelheads Booster Club to host their 19th annual Teddy Bear Toss for Tots. This year’s event will be held on Saturday night, December 3rd, when the Steelheads take on the Alaska Aces at CenturyLink Arena.

The Teddy Bear Toss for Tots is an annual charity drive in which the Steelheads and their fans gather stuffed animals for Idaho children to make sure that every kid receives something special during the holiday season.

After the Steelheads’ first goal of the game, fans in attendance are encouraged to throw a new, unbreakable, stuffed or plush toy onto the CenturyLink Arena ice. Those toys will be collected by the US Marine Corps and donated to their Toys for Tots campaign.

Fans that do not come with a toy will have the opportunity to purchase one. The Steelheads Booster Club will be selling toys for donation in the lobby of CenturyLink Arena before the game.

“This is a terrific event that has grown significantly over the last two decades. With the support of the Steelheads Booster Club and our terrific Steelheads fans, we’ve been able to raise thousands of dollars and thousands of toys for the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots program,” said Rocci Johnson, Event Coordinator for the Steelheads Booster Club.

“This year we hope to break all the records and cover the ice with toys like never before, and with the support of the generous people of the Treasure Valley, I’m sure we can make that happen.”

The Steelheads collected 3,086 toys last year and $4,317 in cash donations, both record totals for the event. Click here for more information on this year’s event.

“The members of our Booster Club and the men and women of the Marine Corps do an outstanding job with this event every season,” said Steelheads President Eric Trapp. “Steelheads fans love this event because they can enjoy a great hockey game and put a smile on a child’s face at Christmas time. It’s why the contribution from our fans to this charity is more impressive each year.”

Prior to the game, Officer Jason Rose and his K-9, Vegas, will walk to center ice for the ceremonial puck-drop, paying tribute to Jardo, the police K-9 who was lost in the line of duty earlier this month.