Hitmen ready for Sunday Teddy Bear Toss
Calling all teddy bear tossers: the Calgary Hitmen and ENMAX want you.
That's because the team's popular annual Teddy Bear Toss game is this Sunday at the Saddledome, at 2 p.m., when the Hitmen take on the Moose Jaw Warriors.
The new and/or gently-used bears collected by the team are donated to more than 65 local agencies, including Alberta Children's Hospital, the Calgary Food Bank and Siksika Nation.
How many bears do the Hitmen hope to collect?
A lot.
"As an organization, we make it our goal every year to meet the request for bears, which is currently at 26,000. We are calling on the community and hockey fans to come together to help us in our mission," said Hitmen business operations assistant manager Amy Bontorin. "This year’s goal is aggressive, but we know the people of Calgary and surrounding area will help us achieve it."
"It’s always so heartwarming to witness the generosity of Calgarians as we watch thousands of teddy bears rain down on the ice," said ENMAX brand, communications and community director Kara Kingston, in a release.
ENMAX is partnering with the Hitmen.
"At ENMAX, we believe in the power of community and giving back. We know the need is great and we want to thank all our ENMAX volunteers, the Calgary Hitmen and generous Calgarians who are making a difference in the lives of children," Kingston said.
Once the bears are collected off the ice, they will be stored courtesy of the Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving Company, which is lending the Hitmen two large trucks to store the bears. The Hitmen return to the Saddledome Monday morning from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., when organizations come to collect their bears.
The team will also deliver bears to different organizations throughout the afternoon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Poilievre-led government 'would never' use notwithstanding clause on abortion, his office says
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street