As previously announced, Saturday 17th December is the date that fans of the GalxC Cooling Services Basingstoke Bison look forward to when once again they have the opportunity to “Air their Bears” in what is a well-known event in the world of ice hockey during the Christmas period.
This years “Air the Bear” event is once again in support of and in partnership with Naomi House.
Preparation of Your Bears
Before you arrive at the arena please ensure your bears are:
- New bears only please – (This is to avoid any cases of infection when these wonderful gifts are donated)
- Have a CE label on them.
- Wrap them in plastic or cling film so they don’t cause any issues with the ice.
What is “Air the Bear”?
Air the Bear – also known as the “Teddy Bear Toss”, is an event where every fan who brings a teddy bear then throws their bear onto the ice following the home sides first goal of the evening.
The current World Record is held by the AHL team Hershey Bears team who in the 2018 season once the first goal was scored saw an amazing 45,650 stuffed toys thrown onto the ice.
When Did the Tradition Begin?
The first Teddy Bear Toss happened on the 5th December 1993 when the WHL team, the Kamloops Blazers introduced the event. The event was the brainwave of the Blazers the Marketing Director, Don Larson and the scorer of the first ever bear toss goal came from the stick of Brad Lukowich.
When Do You Air Your Bear?
Bears are thrown onto the ice when the GalxC Cooling Service Basingstoke Bison score their first goal of the game.
If we don’t score (that never happens right) then bears will be thrown onto the ice when the buzzer goes at the end of the third period.
We thank you in advance for your kind donations which are hugely appreciated by all at Naomi House, and look forward to seeing you at Saturday’s game versus the Phantoms when you’ll get your chance to “Air Your Bear”.
Basingstoke Food Bank
We would also like to thank those supporters who last weekend donated goods to the Basingstoke Food Bank, and to remind you that donations are being received this weekend too.
We’d also like to thank our everyone associated with the “Junior Bison” for their kind food bank donations made at Junior training sessions in the last two weeks.
