IceDogs Deliver Smiles Beyond the Ice with Teddy Bear Donation at Niagara Health
By Nathan Mielke
Eight IceDogs players and Performance Auto Group visited the Children’s Unit at Niagara Health in St. Catharines to donate teddy bears collected during the annual Teddy Bear Toss game on Sunday, November 30.
In tandem with the Niagara Regional Police Service and Victim Services Niagara, the youngest patients in the Children’s Unit were invited to pick a stuffed animal of their choice.
Among the eight IceDogs players on the visit was Liam Spencer, who said, “It means the world to us to be here and be giving back to the community like this,” when speaking on the importance of this visit and the team’s community involvement.
Grayson Tiller, Riley Patterson, Ethan Czata, Reyth Smith, Noah Read, Sebastian Dell’elce and captain Kevin He were the other seven IceDogs players who represented, showing their support for the children at Niagara Health.
Child Life Specialist, Ilisa Merz. explained that teddy bears for patients help create positive healthcare experiences for children undergoing care.
The teddy bears provide emotional support, reduce stress, and give children going through treatment a distraction from the circumstances of their hospital stay.
Hockey Operations Coordinator Eric DeDobbelaer, who was representing the IceDogs front office, said, “We love doing stuff like this. The IceDogs are bigger than a hockey team and our number one goal has been and always will be supporting our community.”
Performance Auto Group’s new car sales manager at Performance Toyota, Mike Lavallee, provided transportation and accompanied the players on their visit to give teddy bears to children receiving care. The Niagara IceDogs are proud to partner with a company that, like the IceDogs, prioritizes giving back to the community. Performance Auto Group passionately works with charities, non-profit organizations, hospitals, civic organizations, and local teams and clubs to help the community and those in need.
The IceDogs, in partnership with Performance Auto Group, look to continue their shared commitment to supporting communities across the Niagara region.
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The Niagara IceDogs are a major junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), based in St. Catharines, Ontario. Since its relocation in 2007, the team has had on and off-ice success, including two Eastern Conference titles and appearances in the OHL Championship Series while remaining active within their community.
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Denice Pepe, MMJC
Manager, Media and Communications
Niagara IceDogs Hockey Club
(905) 687-3641 ext. 225
[email protected]
