### A Heartwarming Tradition: Hershey Bears' Teddy Bear Toss Collects Nearly 82,000 Toys for Charity The Hershey Bears, an American Hockey League team, hosted their annual Teddy Bear Toss on January 4, 2026, where fans threw an impressive **81,796 stuffed animals** onto the ice after the team's first goal. This beloved event, known for its spirit of generosity, aims to support local charities by distributing the collected toys to children in need. The Hershey Bears Cares program will ensure that these stuffed animals reach over **60 local charities**, providing comfort and joy to many children across the community [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/video/2026/jan/06/hockey-fans-throw-thousands-of-teddy-bears-on-to-the-ice-for-charity-video][https://www.lewistownsentinel.com/sports/local-sports/2026/01/bears-teddy-toss-collects-nearly-82000-toys]. ### Structure of the Event and Its Impact 1. **Event Overview** - The Teddy Bear Toss is a long-standing tradition for the Hershey Bears, celebrated for its community spirit and charitable contributions. - Fans eagerly await the first goal of the game, which triggers the toss, creating a spectacular scene of stuffed animals raining down onto the ice. 2. **Charitable Contributions** - The collected toys will be distributed to various local charities, including the Children's Miracle Network and Penn State Health Golisano Children's Hospital, ensuring that the donations directly benefit children in need [https://www.fox43.com/article/sports/hockey/hershey-bears/hershey-bears-distribute-80000-stuffed-animals-teddy-bear-toss/521-63819fc4-541a-4bf3-85cc-c3a5fddcdcab][https://pennstatehealthnews.org/2026/01/giant-teddy-bear-toss-benefits-penn-state-health-golisano-childrens-hospital]. 3. **Community Engagement** - The event fosters a sense of community among fans, players, and corporate partners, showcasing the generosity of the Hershey community. - The Bears' victory over the Rockford IceHogs (5-2) added to the celebratory atmosphere of the event [https://www.outkick.com/sports/teddy-bear-toss-hershey-bears-charity-game-video-total-stuffed-animals][https://www.fox43.com/article/sports/hockey/hershey-bears/hershey-bears-teddy-bear-toss-rockford-icehogs-5-2/521-25b011a6-bf1c-46a6-a245-c86d8c8ee251]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Total Toys Collected**: 81,796 stuffed animals - **Charities Benefited**: Over 60 local charities - **Game Outcome**: Hershey Bears won 5-2 against the Rockford IceHogs - **Event Significance**: This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Teddy Bear Toss, continuing a tradition that has become a hallmark of community spirit in Hershey, PA [https://www.euronews.com/video/2026/01/05/hershey-bears-teddy-bear-toss-collects-81796-toys-for-local-charities][https://www.fox28spokane.com/hershey-bears-annual-teddy-bear-toss-collects-81796-toys]. ### Conclusion: A Celebration of Generosity and Community Spirit The Hershey Bears' Teddy Bear Toss is not just a hockey game; it is a **celebration of community and generosity**. The event successfully collected **81,796 stuffed animals**, which will be distributed to children in need through various local charities. This heartwarming tradition continues to bring joy and support to the community, reinforcing the bond between the team and its fans. The success of this year's event highlights the ongoing commitment of the Hershey Bears and their supporters to make a positive impact in the lives of children [https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2026/01/hershey-bears-2026-teddy-bear-toss-watch-thousands-of-stuffed-animals-rain-down-on-the-ice.html][https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/hershey-bears-2026-teddy-bear-toss-collects-81796-stuffed-animals/n-6313843].