As the buzzer sounded for a Victor goal at the first ever teddy bear toss in Victor Ice Hockey history, hundreds of teddy bears were tossed on the ice. Most of these bears were then donated to the Golisano children’s hospital. Many others were placed in churches as well as with police officers to help kids on site of emergencies for comfort and security in tough situations. 

These bears make such a big impact on many kids’ lives and will continue to do so throughout the ice hockey teddy bear toss in Victor.   

While in 2nd grade, a classmate and I wrote a letter to the Victor Ice Hockey coach to initiate the start of a teddy bear toss with our very own high school hockey team. With the help of Coach Ferreri and my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Zink, within a year we were able to make it happen. 

In 2018, at the RIT ice hockey rink, the first ever teddy bear toss was held. We accumulated close to two hundred bears. After displacing the bears between Golisano, police stations, ambulances and churches, many lives were affected. We were able to continue this same pattern for many years when we hit a roadblock. 

Soon enough Covid hit and new problems arose. After being forced to stop during the pandemic we were worried when it would start again. The college rink we once held it at was no longer available and regulations at hospitals regarding the donations were hard to work with. 

Fortunately, last year we were able to start it at our school’s home ice rink, Rochester Ice Center. However due to the new circumstances such as a smaller rink and less awareness about the tradition, the amount of bears we received was much less than in previous years. 

We are hoping to spread more awareness and lead to an influx of bears as well as broaden the support we get for the event in future years. 

As Mrs. Zink says, “It’s more about everybody becoming a better person because of it, people feel better when they help others.” She reminds us why we really do this when she states “Think about the smiles that are on those kids faces when they are in the hospital and they are getting teddy bears!”     

This year the teddy bear toss will be held at Rochester Ice Center on January 28th against Fairport. Please come out to show your support and bring a new teddy bear with a tag!!