By Tori Wittenbrock
Associate Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – On Saturday, Feb. 3, the Green Bay Gamblers hockey team hosted their annual teddy bear toss game where they collect teddy bears from fans that are tossed onto the ice in between periods.
On Monday, Feb. 5, a group of players made an appearance at the hospital to deliver the bears to pediatric patients at a local Aurora BayCare hospital.
According to Dr. Donald Beno, a pediatrician at Aurora BayCare Health in Green Bay, the impact this program can have on the young patients and their mentality is extremely positive.
“It is a wonderful program that gives children who are undergoing sometimes painful treatments a little gift,” said Beno. “Certainly the tests and the treatments are needed, but the teddy bear can bring a smile to their face after those events.”
Dr. Beno also said that having these bears delivered by local athletes who can be a true inspiration for them is one of the most interesting and unique aspects of the program.
“Certainly the Gamblers have been a great partner with this program and hopefully this attracts people to see them as well,” said Dr. Beno.
However, the effects of this program last much longer than a single day, according to Dr. Beno.
“Not only does the benefit happen when the players are here handing them out, but also for the year to come when we get a supply of teddy bears to hand out to children who undergo painful treatments,” said Dr. Beno.
One young boy, in particular, said that receiving a teddy bear from the Gamblers players was the best part about his day.
Harrison Fritsch, 4, was ecstatic to receive the teddy bears from his newest Green Bay icons, the Gamblers.
“Great!” said Harrison about his experience at his first Gamblers game. The Fritsch family even participated in the teddy bear toss themselves at the game.
“I brought a polar bear one,” said Harrison.
Harrison said that he was also able to secure a bear for his older brother, Hudson, 5, who was at an OT appointment on another floor.
Their mother, Stephanie Fritsch, said that she was so happy to see the excitement on Harrison‘s face when he recognized the players and then was able to receive a teddy bear from them.
“It was the boys’ first hockey game ever and we were rink side so the boys could toss their bears over,” said Stephanie.
The two boys said that being at the game and then seeing the Gamblers in person to receive a teddy bear was one of the greatest experiences they have ever had and it truly brightened their day.
Stephanie said that the experience of being at the game clearly stuck with her son because as they were in the parking lot walking into the hospital, her son noticed something on a car outside that looked familiar.
“I saw a Green Bay Gamblers sticker,” said Harrison.
Stephanie said that her son picked up on the Ace sticker outside and knew that someone would be in the hospital.
According to Stephanie, the boys had a great time at the game and were able to high-five the Gamblers mascot, Ace, right up against the glass.
“We are going to make [going to Gamblers games] more of a tradition now — especially the teddy bear toss,” said Stephanie. “We just love the impact on the community.”
Gamblers defenceman Josh Player said the experience of brightening young patients’ days was unforgettable.
“We are just trying to brighten their days and make them smile,” said Player.
“It was great. I think the Gamblers have a really great program to give back to the community. We have a really great fan base so it felt good to give back to them.”
Though this is Player’s second season in Green Bay, he said that he is excited to finally be able to take part in the program by passing out the bears.
“I wasn’t here personally last year, but I talked to some of the guys who were, and they all said that it was great and all the kids smiled and it really made their day.”
The Gamblers teddy bear toss has been an annual event for over two decades and the team has collected a total of over 1,500 bears for pediatric patients.
