The Lancaster Stormers are set to host their much-anticipated Teddy Bear Toss during Youth Hockey Night on August 16, 2024. This charitable event aims to collect stuffed animals for pediatric patients at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital’s emergency department. Fans attending the game against the Staten Island Ferry Hawks, which kicks off at 6:45 p.m., are encouraged to bring new, non-electronic stuffed animals to Penn Medicine Park.
Bringing Comfort to Young Patients
The Teddy Bear Toss follows a beloved tradition where fans throw their donations onto the field after the Stormers’ first home run or at the end of the game if no home run occurs. The collected toys will be delivered to the hospital, providing comfort to young patients and their families during challenging times.
This initiative is part of a year-round effort coordinated by Marcy Mercer, a social worker in the emergency department at Lancaster General Hospital. Mercer manages donation drives and curates Amazon wish lists to ensure that every pediatric patient receives a source of comfort. “The impact has been huge for the pediatric patients we see, their parents, and the staff,” Mercer stated. “The staff truly enjoys giving these stuffed animals out and uses them to help make the emergency department experience a little bit easier. I’ve also had many parents share that well after the ‘emergency,’ the stuffed animal quickly becomes their favorite for years.”
Festivities and Community Engagement
The Teddy Bear Toss is part of a vibrant Youth Hockey Night event, which includes a visit from the Phillie Phanatic, youth hockey activities, and a hat giveaway for the first 1,000 fans aged 16 and older, courtesy of Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display sponsored by Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
Celebrating its 21st season, the Lancaster Stormers play at Penn Medicine Park, a venue recognized as a three-time Best Ballpark in MLB Partner League Baseball. The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which the Stormers are a part of, is known for being a gateway to Major League Baseball (MLB), having sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations in the past 25 years.
For those interested in following local news, updates on the event and other happenings in Chester County can be found on MyChesCo through platforms like Google News and MSN.