The Penticton Vees annual Teddy Bear Toss Game, in support of the Salvation Army, is next Saturday, December 3rd, against the West Kelowna Warriors at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Tim Hortons is the presenting sponsor of this year’s Teddy Bear Toss Game.
The Vees have adjusted the start time to the game. The game was originally scheduled for 6:00 pm, but now has been rescheduled to 7:00 pm. The change comes after consultation with the City of Penticton, as the Santa Claus Parade is also on December 3rd, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.
“After discussions with the City of Penticton, we felt it was necessary to adjust the start time, to allow families to enjoy two of the most popular events on the holiday calendar,” said Vees’ Vice President of Business Operations, Fraser Rodgers. “We hope to see a great turnout at both events and have the community come together in the spirit of giving.”
The Vees encourage fans to bring warm winter outerwear along with new or gently used stuffed toys to throw onto the ice. Tim Hortons is sponsoring the game and will be on hand to assist in collecting teddy bears and winter outerwear following the Vees’ first goal.
The Salvation Army says there is a growing need for warm winter jackets, gloves, and toques. The Salvation Army will be collecting diaper donations for the local branch of Mamas for Mamas. Bins will also be setup at the top of Gate 1 for non-perishable food donations.
Al Madsen, the Salvation Army Community Ministries Director, says the items collected at the game will go a long way in helping families keep warm this winter, “Outerwear can be expensive for a family, especially with the rise in the cost of living. This game is a great opportunity for the community to rally together and help better a family’s winter, their Christmas, their year.”
To minimize traffic congestion downtown, BC Transit and the City of Penticton are offering a free shuttle service to take people to both the Santa Claus Parade and the Vees game on December 3rd.
Shuttle to the Parade
The shuttle picks up at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre at 3:45 pm, then makes a pickup at the South Okanagan Events Centre (SOEC) parking lot, before dropping off riders at Main Street & Wade Avenue, ahead of the Santa Claus Parade, which starts at 4:30 pm.
Shuttle to Vees Game
The shuttle then picks up riders at Main Street & Wade Avenue at 6:00 pm, then shuttles to the SOEC for the Vees game, before continuing to the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre.
Shuttle After Vees Game
The shuttle will pick up fans after the Vees game at 9:30 pm and 10:00 pm to return to Cherry Lane Shopping Centre.
“We’re so thrilled to be bringing back the magic of the Santa Claus Parade and to bring people together once again for this family-friendly event,” says Kelsey Johnson, the City of Penticton’s Manager of Recreation, Arts & Culture. “Catch the holiday spirit at the parade and then share the spirit at the Vees’ Teddy Bear Toss Game for one memorable evening.”
For more information on the Santa Claus Parade visit www.penticton.ca/santaparade.
The Salvation Army has been operating in Penticton for 101 years. For more information on their services, go to www.pentictonsa.com.
