At the Teddy Bear Toss, fans throw their plush animals onto the ice after the Melfort Mustangs first goal. In 2019, over 200 bears were tossed onto the ice. (Facebook/Melfort Mustangs)

By Angie Rolheiser

Holiday helping hand

Teddy Bear Toss, Skate with Santa events aim to fill Salvation Army Christmas hampers

Dec 1, 2021 | 2:35 PM

Teddy bears and toys are on the Christmas wish list for the Salvation Army as they look to fill more Christmas hampers this year.

Two events taking place at the Northern Lights Palace this weekend will help bring Christmas to families in need.

Friday’s Melfort Mustangs game will play host to the annual teddy bear toss followed by Skate with Santa on Sunday.

Melfort Salvation Army Captain Rick Robins told northeastNOW he looks forward to the teddy bear toss game each year.

“It is just like an outpouring of love from the community, for the community,” Robins said. “It is something to see and you just feel the love of the community.”

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At the game, hockey fans are invited to toss a teddy bear onto the ice when the Mustangs score their first goal of the game.

The 2020 teddy bear toss needed to be modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic so it is exciting to get back to a normal format.

The goal for this year is 300 stuffed animals as the Salvation Army looks to give Christmas hampers to around 150 families and well over 200 children.

“We do have a higher number of children to serve this year so hopefully we can get there,” Robins said.

Robins added the Bargain shop in Melfort is offering 10 per cent off all bears for the toss.

Skate with Santa is being held on Sunday which aims to collect toys for the hampers.

“It is always an exciting event when kids can come skate with Santa, have a good time, and bring some donations as well to help us out,” Robins said. “It is a phenomenal family event for our community.”

New, unwrapped gifts as well as monetary donations are being collected at the event that runs from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Everyone in attendance at the event will be required to wear masks.

The Salvation Army kettle campaign is ongoing and volunteers are still needed. The shifts are two hours long and the kettles are out Monday to Saturday. Anyone interested in a shift at the kettles can call the thrift store in Melfort at 306-752-3525.

“Donations are down a bit this year so we are looking forward to the next three and a half weeks at the kettles in hopes that we will make up the difference,” Robins said. “We are going to need all the help we can get from our community so if anyone can help out, we greatly appreciate it.”

The goal for this year’s kettle campaign is $70,000 which is up significantly compared to previous years. Just five years ago the campaign goal was $40,000.

Last year, around $74,000 was raised in Melfort. The money goes toward the Christmas hampers and also funds the Salvation Army programs that run year-round.

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angie.rolheiser@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser