Boise, ID (12/4/17)— The Idaho Steelheads have once again announced record-setting donations this year from the 20th annual Teddy Bear Toss for Tots, held on December 2nd and sponsored by the Idaho Steelheads Booster Club and the US Marine Corps. For the third consecutive year, the Steelheads set an all-time high for toys collected.
Following Steve McParland’s breakaway goal in the first period of Saturday night’s game against the Tulsa Oilers, Steelheads fans covered the ice with stuffed animals to be donated to the US Marine Corps’ local Toys for Tots program. The event brought in a record-setting 7,023 toys, easily surpassing last year’s record of 5,844 and better than doubling the 2015 total of 3,086 toys.
The event also collected $4,017 in cash, a total largely pushed by stuffed animal sales within the arena by the Idaho Steelheads Booster Club.
“The amazing generosity of our fans is one of the major reasons why we get so excited about this event each year,” said Steelheads President Eric Trapp. “We were blown away with last year’s collection, and this event far surpassed it.”
“Our booster club and the men and women of the US Marine Corps work incredibly hard to grow this event and make it a success. Thanks to their efforts and our fans, many children will be receiving something special this Christmas season.”
The Steelheads skated to a 2-1 victory over the Oilers Saturday to finish the evening on a winning note.