Teddy Bear Toss Highlights Two-Game Homestand

Wichita, KS (Dec. 8th) - The Wichita Thunder, proud member of the ECHL and powered by Toyota, have once again partnered with Bank of the West and Hajoca to present this year's Teddy Bear Toss and Toys for Tots Drive on Saturday, December 13th. The team announced today that they have partnered with the Kansas Children's Service League as one of the beneficiaries for the evening.

"We are very honored to be a part of this great Thunder tradition and are glad to get the KCSL involved this season," commented Brian Donley, VP and Area Manager of Bank of the West. "They do some great things for the community and any way we can all get involved to put a smile on a child's face during the holidays is something we are excited about."

On Saturday, December 13th, fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used stuffed animal to the game. When the Thunder score their first goal that night, fans can toss their stuffed animals onto the ice. After the stuffed animals are collected, players and staff members will distribute them to local hospitals as a way to give back to the community for those who may not have a gift during the holidays. The rest of the stuffed animals will be donated to local charities, such as the Kansas Children's Service League. Fans who bring a stuffed animal or a toy to donate for Toys for Tots will receive a free upper level ticket voucher good for Sunday, January 11th.

The KCSL is a private, not-for-profit agency serving children and families with offices and affiliates throughout Kansas. They focus on keeping children safe, families strong and communities involved. Director of Operations, Toni Higdon, is very excited for the opportunity to partner with Bank of the West and the Thunder for this endeavor.

“At Kansas Children's Service League, we work diligently to keep children and families together. Many of our families struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis and many have had some sort of trauma in their lives. A teddy bear is symbol of love and affection. Giving a teddy bear to a child represents comfort and assurance things will be okay. It's a special gift that a child can cherish and attach loving memories. The Wichita Thunder organization is going to pay a big role in a child's life, more than they know.”

Wichita closes out its four-game road swing on Wednesday night at the BOK Center against the Tulsa Oilers at 7:00 p.m. The Thunder returns home on Friday night to host the Quad City Mallards at 7:05 p.m. Friday is Union Night, as we recognize all of the local union members in the area for their hard work.

Individual tickets are on sale now. Don't delay! Tickets can be purchased at the INTRUST Arena Box office, by calling 755-SEAT or go online at www.selectaseat.com. Stay up-to-date on all the news during the season by visiting www.wichitathunder.com.

About the ECHL

The ECHL began in 1988-89 with five teams in four states and has grown into a coast-to-coast league with 28 teams in 20 states and one Canadian province for its 27th season in 2014-15. There have been 541 players who have started their career in the ECHL have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including 29 who made their NHL debuts in the 2013-14 season. The ECHL had affiliations with 26 of the 30 NHL teams in 2013-14, marking the 17th consecutive season that the league had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL. Further information on the ECHL is available on its website at ECHL.com, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

-Thunder-