There will be at least 330 smiling faces in Cochrane this year thanks to the 2021 Teddy Bear Toss. 

Thousands of teddy bears littered the ice at the Calgary Hitmen game this past Saturday, December 4 when they took on the Lethbridge Hurricanes. The tradition of the annual event is when the first goal is scored by the Calgary Hitmen against their opposing team the fans throw thousands of new and gently used teddy bears onto the ice. 

Volunteers are on hand to help clean up the bears from the ice and once collected are distributed to various charitable organizations.

The Cochrane and Area Events Society was one of the organizations at the game and they were there to help out and in return receive a generous haul of bears. 

Tuesday, CAES President, Ericka Richards, Secretary Marina Chabbert with some help from Scott Willis from Mountain Toys Polaris and his truck picked up 330 teddy bears to be distributed in Cochrane and area. 

So, how do the teddy bears find a home?

Chabbert explains, "We are going to transfer them to the bus for Saturday's Stuff-a-bus, so everyone can see what 330 teddy bears look like." 

Stuff-a-Bus is an annual Cochrane tradition in which folks are invited to help stuff a bus full of donations that are then taken directly to the Cochrane Activettes' sorting facility for their Share your Christmas Hamper Program.

Details for Stuff-a-Bus: Saturday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m in front of Cochrane Canadian Tire.

Another fun part of the day is you can get a free e-picture with Santa with a toy, money, or food donation. Chabbert says, "We still have about 13 spots left, as of yesterday (Monday, December 6),so if anybody wants a picture with Santa they are free of charge with a donation."

You can book you photo sitting in advance by clicking HERE.