YORKTON — The Yorkton Terriers are gearing up for their annual Fan Appreciation Night and Teddy Bear Toss, set to take place on Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m at Westland Arena.
The Terriers will be hosting the Melfort Mustangs for the special event.
“The teddy bear toss is an event that happens throughout all of hockey now in almost every arena,” said Calvin Tokarchuk, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Yorkton Terriers, in an interview with Yorkton This Week.
“It’s a great opportunity for us to give back — not only to the community — but those in need,” said Tokarchuk.
Fans are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal to the game, preferably in a plastic bag to prevent it from getting damaged on the ice.
“As soon as the home team scores — when we score our first goal — the entire ice gets covered in stuffed animals which is awesome,” Tokarchuk explained.
All the collected stuffed animals will be donated to the Salvation Army.
“The holidays are a time where we need to make sure that we take care of those that need a little bit of help this time of year,” Tokarchuk added.
In addition to the Teddy Bear Toss, programs for the game will be available by donations, with all proceeds also going to the Salvation Army.
“It’s fan appreciation night … it’s only $5.00 to get into the door,” said Tokarchuk, hoping that the money fans save on the game will prompt them to buy a teddy bear to donate at the match.
“When it comes down to it it’s just a really good opportunity to make sure — as a community and as a team — that we support those that need help at this time and throughout the entire year,” said Tokarchuk.
“The holidays are one of those times where a person can take a step back and really look at what’s most important and I think that’s why they call it the season of giving and not receiving because that’s what we’re supposed to do as people — just take care of each other — and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Last year, the event collected 226 stuffed animals.
“I’m really hoping we can beat that this year,” said Tokarchuk, expressing his optimism for this year’s event.
So, mark your calendars and join the Yorkton Terriers for a night of hockey, community, and giving back.
