MAPS Teddy Bear Toss

On Saturday, December 10th, MAPS will be hosting a Teddy Bear Toss to benefit the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD). The teddy bear toss idea came about from discussions with Craig Russell, the PSU men’s hockey coach, who wanted to create new ways his team could contribute to the campus. As “chuck-a-puck” has become a fan favorite at the hockey games, creating a second fan experience was a logical place to start. Working with Rob Wright, Dave Geiger and the staff at the hockey rink, in conjunction with Russell and the men’s hockey team, MAPS came up with the event.

Saturday, December 10th at the home men’s hockey game against Castleton, fans will be asked to bring a new or near new stuffed teddy bear. When the Panther’s score their first goal of the game, the game will stop and MAPS and the entire team will go out onto the ice to collect the teddy bears thrown onto the ice surface. This is not an intermission event, as “chuck-a-puck” is, but rather when the home team scores its first goal. This is an approved event by the ECAC/MASCAC, so the home team will not be penalized. Vermont Teddy Bear has been contacted seeking donations, but MAPS will be seeking assistance from local businesses, corporate sponsors, and alumni to either donate a teddy bear or a small financial gift that will also be given to CHaD. It is the goal of MAPS to donate 100 teddy bears to CHaD at the end of the event.