SANDPOINT — When the Pennsylvania Hershey Bears send the puck deep into the net, thousands upon thousands of teddy bears and other stuffed animals will rain from the stands during the beloved Teddy Bear Toss.

Soon, the hockey players were diving into the massive piles of bears, stuffies and other critters that carpeted the ice after the Bears scored their first goal of the game. So many toys were tossed onto the ice, it delayed the game by about 40 minutes as the beloved holiday tradition in Hershey set a new world record with 45,650 bears.

The “exuberant downpour” of the stuffed critters took place just eight minutes into a game against the Binghamton Devils a few years back, according goodnewsnetwork.org.

“Hit the crossbar,” the announcer calls, his voice rising in excitement as the Hershey Bear sends the puck into the net to tie the score 1-1. “Rebound. He scooooooooorrrrrrrres.”

“It’s Teddy Bear Toss Time … and the fans are letting them fly,” screams the announcer. “It’s raining stuffed animals in Chocolate Town. What a beautiful sight.”

The stuffed animals, which broke the 2018 record by more than 10,000 stuffed animals, are being distributed to about 40 different charities to make the holiday season bright for children in the Hershey area.

Today’s donations add up to $13,418.35, bringing the total to $30,930.78.

Generous contributions were received from:

Anonymous, $500; Eva Whitehead, $2,000; Barbara Buchanan and Rick Dalessio, $500; Alan Barber & Heather Hellier, $100; A Aaron's Self Storage LLC, $250; Patrick S. Gooby Living Trust, $250; A-1 Gooby's Self Storage LLC , $250;

Jacquelyn Knechtges, TTE,Christin Knechtges TTE, $100; Carol & Gary Steinway, $200; Maurice or Linda Dunn, $75; anonymous, $200; John and Barbara Juneau, $100; Marguerite and Thomas Suttmeier, $1,000; Jeanette Schandelmeier, $100;

Randy & Kim Powers (In memory of Kara), $100; James and Janet Meneely (In memory of Jan Meneely), $200; George and Jenise Eskridge (In memory of Jenise Eskridge), $100;

Bill, Nancy and Steve Miller (in loving memory of Jennifer), $200; Arnies coin jar, $39.25; Found and saved coins, $74.10; Idaho Forest Group Employees, $4,130; in memory of Darrell Brown from Ellena Brown, Rick Brown and crew at Brown's North Side Machine and Jean, $300;

Ann M. Kritzeck, $150; "Merry Christmas"; Wood's Meat Processing, Inc., $500; Water Systems Management Inc., $1,000; anonymous, $300; June and Steven Temple, $100;

Brian Kathryn Powell, $100; The Hive, $200; Charles & Sharon Manning, $100; and Ronald and Rose Chaney, $200.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between.

The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the Toys for Tots program. Applications are available at Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den.

Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; the Ponderay Starbucks, and the Ponderay Mountain West Bank.

Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118