Organizations receive stuffed toys thrown at Battalion game on Teddy Bear Toss night

The stuffed teddy bears that were thrown on Memorial Gardens ice on Teddy Bear Toss night last month were delivered to various local organizations this week.

Rogers Radio and three North Bay Battalion players dropped off the bears at Crisis Centre North Bay, The Children’s Aid Society on McIntyre and the Ojibway Women’s Lodge.

Battalion forward Mitchell Russell says he learns a lot through involvement with local charities.

“Hockey more than just a game. A lot of kids look up to us and if we can send positive messages to them we can benefit too,” he says.

He was joned by teammates Harrison Caines and Mason Primeau.

Kelly Grondin is a frontline worker at Crisis Centre North Bay.

She says they have several programs that work with children and these teddy bears will mean a lot to the kids they serve.

“Our homeless shelter is one. We sometimes get children who have nothing. We have outreach workers who work with families so a teddy bear like this is a beautiful surprise. We have a supervised access program so some of these stuffed toys will be put in our playroom so the kids can enjoy them when they come for a visit,” Grondin says.

Another delivery is expected next week.

(photos by station staff)