AMERICUS, Ga. (WALB) - Georgia Southwestern State University hosted its fifth annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Storm Dome Wednesday, Feb. 25, with fans throwing stuffed animals onto the court to benefit children in need.

School officials said the event was expected to collect more than 1,000 stuffed animals. The donations will go to children at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and to local law enforcement agencies.

Carlyle Walton, president of Phoebe Sumter, said the stuffed animals make a difference for children who are anxious or scared.

“What it means is an example of community collaboration to enrich the lives of people in our community,” Walton said. “It may seem like a small gesture, but giving a kid a teddy bear when they’re anxious, when they’re scared, makes all the difference in the world.”

Walton said stuffed animals collected at the event will also be distributed to local law enforcement agencies so officers can give them to children during difficult situations.

Michelle Johnston, president of GSW, said the event brings together students, faculty, staff and the broader community.

“I look at what we’ve done over these five years to bring the community and our students together and our faculty and our staff for a really important cause,” Johnston said. “I think it’s a special blend of school spirit and generosity and service all brought into one event. And you don’t see many events like that that are able to combine all those really, really important things.”

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