KEARNEY, NE. – The Tri-City Storm’s annual Teddy Bear Toss event at the Viaero Center on Friday night gathered hundreds of stuffed animals to be donated throughout the local community during this holiday season.
Prior to puck drop, more than one hundred stuffed animals were donated through both private and sponsorship donations. These were placed in select seats before the game and given to fans who arrived early for Friday’s event. The Teddy Bear Toss goal was scored by Storm forward Cam Briere during the 1st period of Tri-City’s rivalry matchup against the Omaha Lancers. Following the scoring play, hundreds of teddy bears and various stuffed animals made their way onto the ice as fans participated in the annual tradition. Every Storm player assisted staff members in their efforts to collect the donated items from the ice, and Tri-City went on to win the game by a final score of 4-3.
Stormy, along with several Storm players, will distribute the stuffed animals collected from this year’s event to various charities and organizations in the local community including CHI Health, Kearney Goodfellows, S.A.F.E. Center, Kearney/Buffalo County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s), Kearney Children’s Museum, Kearney Regional Medical Center, and Compass. Presenting sponsor Slumberland Furniture will also receive stuffed animals collected at the event and assist in distribution to those in need.
If you would like a local charity or organization to be included in the Storm’s stuffed animal distribution, please contact a Tri-City Storm staff member at the Viaero Center by calling 308-338-8144.
Yesterday, the Storm hosted its annual Paint the Ice event ahead of next weekend’s Concrete Cares game. Members of the local community were encouraged to paint messages of support on the ice at the Viaero Center to support those affected by cancer. The Storm’s home game against the Lincoln Stars on Saturday, December 16th will be played on the painted ice, and proceeds raised during the postgame jersey auction will benefit Concrete Cares, on behalf of Kearney Concrete. Concrete Cares is a volunteer group whose primary focus is fighting cancer on a local level. The mission of the organization is to make a difference in the local community by enabling friends, relatives, and families to join the fight to provide support for those stricken with cancer. More information on the group can be found at www.ConcreteCares.com.