Steelheads to host Teddy Bear Toss for Tots on Saturday

Boise, ID (11/27/17)— The Idaho Steelheads will once again host one of their most popular charitable events of the year this Saturday, as they partner with the United States Marine Corps and the Idaho Steelheads Booster Club to host the 20th annual Teddy Bear Toss for Tots. The Steelheads will welcome the Tulsa Oilers to CenturyLink Arena as they collect toys for Treasure Valley children in need.

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 child 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 Idaho Steelheads Booster Club will be selling toys for donation in the lobby of CenturyLink Arena before the game.

“It’s an event that our fans look forward to every year because they get to participate directly. All of our fundraisers are important, but the Teddy Bear Toss for Tots encourages fans to cover the ice each year and to enjoy the spectacle,” said Steelheads President Eric Trapp. “They are a direct part of the experience and can see the results firsthand, and I think that enthusiasm is why we’ve set records in each of the past two years."

“With the tremendous support of our boosters and the Marines, we know this year’s game can be a special night once again.”

Last year was a record-setting event, with 5,844 toys collected and another $4,411.25 in cash donations collected. Much of the money collected was fueled by toy sales made by the Booster Club.

“Steelheads fans and boosters are proud to be celebrating our 20th year of this annual event that supplies a large percentage of the goals for our local Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program each year,” said Rocci Johnson, founder of the event for the Booster Club. “From this one event, we are able to provide thousands of toys, along with thousands of dollars in donations from sales to help fill in the gaps for our local kids wherever needed.”

In addition to the toy donations, this year’s game will serve as an opportunity to pay homage to a man who has been an important figure for the Teddy Bear Toss in years past.

“This year, we are equally proud to dedicate our 20th year to Captain Art Jackson, the Marine’s Marine, who passed away in June of this year,” said Johnson. “Art was an esteemed World War II Medal of Honor recipient and a big supporter of our local USMC and their Toys for Tots Program."

The Steelheads and Oilers face off on Saturday in the finale of their three-game series. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:10pm.

Great seats are still available for this week’s contests against the Oilers. The Steelheads’ Holiday Hat Trick ticket plan offers fans three tickets and a Steelheads hat for as low as $39. For tickets and details, call the Steelheads Front Office at 383-0080 or visit online at idahosteelheads.com.