Since 2001, the Bears have hosted the Teddy Bear Toss each season. Fans collect plush toys throughout the year for the chance to throw ‘sweet cuddly mayhem’ onto the ice when the Bears score the team’s first goal of the game. Fur flies for several minutes while players and HE&R team members worked together to clear the ice.
The 2025 event saw 102,343 teddy bears collected, which remains the world record for the most plush toys collected during a hockey teddy bear toss game.
Teddy Bear Toss
The world-renowned Hershey Bears® Teddy Bear Toss has become a favorite of players, fans, Hershey Entertainment & Resorts (HE&R) team members, and the organizations that benefit from this annual tradition. The marquee event of the club's Hershey Bears Cares community initiative, this game brings together hockey, fan engagement, and giving back.
Thank You To Our Volunteers
The event is successful due to the legion of volunteers who come together to bring smiles to thousands of residents in our area.
Our HE&R team members and Bears players are joined by volunteers from the Pennsylvania State Police, Milton Hershey School, Children’s Miracle Network, and GIANT Company, who collaborate to collect, count, and distribute teddy bears.
Giving Back To The Community
The plush toys are donated to more than 60 local and regional organizations, including Milton Hershey School, Gigi's Playhouse Lancaster, Hospice of Central PA, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning, Vista Autism Services, Dauphin County Children and Youth Services, Bethesda Mission, LaMancha Animal Rescue, York County Food Bank, and Elizabethtown Fire Department.
How Do You Help Donate Teddy Bears For The Game?
When the Bears score that first goal, launch your stuffed animals onto the ice! Seeing tens of thousands of animals rain down is a spectacle you won't want to miss. Please just ensure all bears are new or gently used and do not have battery packs inside.
Bringing a mountain of bears or cannot attend the game? While we want to see as many flying bears as possible, if you have more than you can carry to your seat, please visit the collection truck outside GIANT Center℠ between 12:00PM - 3:00PM.
To ensure every single donation is counted toward our total, there will be no collection bins on the concourse. All stuffed animals must either be thrown onto the ice or dropped off at the outdoor truck.
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