More Than a Tradition: My Experience at the Hershey Bears Teddy Bear Toss
By Princess Tommy, MHS Student
As a Milton Hershey School student, I am grateful for opportunities that allow us to give back while also being part of something meaningful. When a group of us students were invited to attend a Hershey Bears hockey game, on the condition that we volunteered to help with the amazing tradition of the Teddy Bear Toss, it felt like a full circle moment before I even knew it would be. What started as a volunteer opportunity turned into a powerful reflection on growth, community, and giving.
We arrived at the GIANT Center a few hours before the game to help collect stuffed animals that fans brought to donate but did not plan to throw on the ice. Even early in the day, people were already coming in with large bags overflowing with teddy bears. Some fans explained they had brought extras specifically to donate, while others carefully kept the ones to throw onto the ice after the first goal. Seeing so many people show up prepared was incredibly moving.
As volunteers, we worked together to collect, organize, and store the donated stuffed animals. While these bears wouldn’t be part of the toss itself, they were still part of the larger mission of spreading comfort and joy. Being involved behind the scenes showed me how much preparation goes into a large-scale community event and how essential volunteers are in making traditions like this possible.
One of the most meaningful parts of the day was the opportunity to connect with Ms. Heather Storm, general manager of entertainment for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. As someone interested in pursuing a future in media, speaking with her was especially impactful. Seeing her there made me realize that planning and creativity can go into creating experiences that feel exciting and seamless for fans. Making that connection reinforced my belief that building relationships and being present in these environments matters just as much as having the right skills.
Later that evening, as we sat in the stands, the moment I had been waiting for arrived. When the Hershey Bears scored their first goal, the area erupted, and the teddy bears filled the air. Watching 81,796 bears cover the ice was breathtaking. These stuffed animals have since been donated to schools, children’s hospitals, fire departments, food banks, and missions, bringing joy and comfort to kids and families in need across central Pennsylvania.
What made it even more powerful was realizing how different this moment felt now. As a senior, it was almost surreal to be watching the toss from the stands, knowing that I had been there years earlier as a young MHS student. Back then, I saw it through the eyes of a child, excited, amazed, and unaware of all the work behind it. Seeing it again now, with a deeper understanding and a role in helping it happen, made the experience even more meaningful.
That night reminded me how special it is to be a part of something larger than yourself. From volunteering behind the scenes to witnessing a tradition I grew up with from a new perspective, the Teddy Bear Toss wasn’t just a hockey tradition, it was the moment that showed me how far I have come and how powerful a community can be when everyone comes together for a common cause.