The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
4,000 teddy bears collected
More than 4,000 stuffed animals collected for local children
Teddy bears and stuffed animals of all shapes and sizes have taken over the New York Sash Idea and Design Center this week. More than 4,000 in fact, a result of the 14th annual New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss that took place Saturday, Dec. 1, during the Utica College Men’s Ice Hockey game versus Chatham University.
This area favorite holiday toy drive event is a partnership between New York Sash and Utica College to raise toys for local children in need. When Utica College sophomore Jamie Bucell scored the first goal of the game in the second period, the sold out crowd threw donated stuffed animals onto the ice for collection by New York Sash employees, family and friends.
The teddy bears were taken to New York Sash, where they have been sorted, organized and put on display for a short period of time. On Monday, Dec. 10, the stuffed animals will be bagged and sent off to a variety of local toy drives, schools, organizations and agencies.
New York Sash, a local family- owned and operated home improvement company, has been a longtime sponsor of the Utica College Hockey Team and with that, the organizer of the New York Sash Teddy Bear Toss since its inception. This year’s collec- tion will put the 14 year Teddy Bear Toss total at more than 40,000 bears collected. New York Sash owner Scot Hayes is proud to lead up this event.
“It’s really impressive, the support of our community,” said Hayes. “My family and I are so grateful to be able to make this event happen year after year. Not only is it a fun holiday event but it’s a great way to give back to those in need.”
The public is invited to come check out the display of stuffed animals this week at the New York Sash Idea and Design Center, 349 Oriskany Blvd., in Whitesboro, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Teddy bear donations are also being accepted through Saturday.