Oshawa Generals fans ‘toss’ 500 Teddy Bears for children in need at drive-thru event

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Published January 19, 2022 at 3:25 pm

The Oshawa Generals’ Teddy Bears tossed topped 500 and the food and clothing donations still have to be counted but Saturday’s drive-thru event at the Tribute Communities Centre was definitely a win-win.

The club travelled up to Peterborough and spanked their arch-rivals 4-1 that night to put the icing on the cake too.

The annual Teddy Bear Toss is a Christmas tradition that gives children in need across Durham Region an opportunity to receive a gift around the holidays. This season the team had a date picked out – December 19 – while fans were still allowed in the building. The day before, however, the Province went back to Step 2 and forced the club to resort to the drive-thru Teddy Bear Toss, as they did last season when 700 bears, $300 in cash and gift cards, and 1,246 lbs. of food for families in need were donated.

Club spokesman Brandon Wright said there were 500 or so bears “tossed” on Saturday and added that non-perishable food donations were still to be counted.

Food and clothing donations will go to Feed the Need in Durham while the Teddy Bears will be given to a variety of charities around Oshawa and Durham.

The Generals were back at the Tribute Communities Centre the next night – dropping a 3-1 decision to the first place Mississauga Steelheads – but got back in the win column last night at home, doubling up the Kingston Frontenacs 4-2.

Captain Ty Tullio led the way with two goals – the opener and an empty-netter to seal it – and added an assist. Cooper Way and Ryan Gagnier had the other goals for the Generals while Patrick Leaver had a busy night between the pipes, stopping 39 shots for the victory – his 13th 30-save performance of the season.

Lucas Peric and consensus number one draft pick Shane Wright scored for the Frontenacs.

Oshawa returns to game action tomorrow night at home with a chance at redemption against Mississauga. Game time is 7:05 pm.

 

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