A NEW WORLD RECORD FOR A "BEAR TOSS"

HERSHEY, PENNSYLVANIA is known as the "Chocolate Capitol of the World." But last night thei Township's Hershey Bears hockey team (AHL) set a new world record for fan charitable donations with the annual "Bear Toss." The event marks "International Giving Day" celebrated during the team's home game nearest the December 2nd date.

The township outside Harrisburg invites fans to participate in the charitable event by tossing stuffed bears onto the ice. This is triggered when the home team scores its' first goal of the game. When 25 year old defenseman Christian Djoos (native Sweden) scored at 8:11 of the first periond, the capacity crowd began showering the ice with stuffed animals. 

With 45,650 bears on ice the game was delayed for 48 minutes while stadium personned, youth hockey teams and even Hershey players and referees gathered and placed in plastic bags. 

The video catures all of the bear frenzy.

As you can see the rain of bears onto the ice remember; the Hershey Arena has a capacity of 7,286 (with standing room about 8,000). The unicorporated township has a population of only 14,257 (2010) census. With 45,650 bears tossed on the ice breaks down to 5.7 bears per person attending the game. The previous record occurred 2018 with 34,798 bears upon the 25,017 recorded in 2017 

The town was founded in 1907 by Milton Hershey the chocolate magnet who brought his factory to this community. Hershey brand is named by who else but the Hershey family. The founder and his heirs have contributed to a number of charities over decades since.

The first "bear toss" originated in Kaml;oops in 1993 collecting 2,400 stuffed animals. This time it was Brad Lukowich scoring the first goal that triggered the rain from fans. 

With 45,650 and counting as of this morning, Hershey has a population of 59,907 at least for now.