The GSW Teddy Bear Toss is more than a fun in-game moment — it's one of the most meaningful nights of the year for Georgia Southwestern Athletics.

Held annually during a men's basketball game inside the Storm Dome, the tradition invites fans to bring new or gently used stuffed animals and toss them onto the court after the Hurricanes score their first basket. In just a few moments, more than 3,000 stuffed toys cover the floor — a powerful visual reminder of what can happen when a community comes together for a cause.

But the real purpose begins after the final whistle.

Student-athletes from Georgia Southwestern State University collect every stuffed animal and personally deliver a truckload to Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. The teddy bears are distributed to young patients to help ease fear during hospital stays, procedures, and emergency visits. For children facing difficult moments, a simple stuffed animal can provide comfort, security, and a sense of normalcy.

The impact extends beyond the hospital as well. Donations are also shared with local community partners who serve children and families in need, multiplying the reach of the event throughout the region.

Now entering its fifth year on February 25, the Teddy Bear Toss has grown into a signature community initiative for GSW — blending school spirit, generosity, and service into one unforgettable night. It's a celebration of Hurricanes basketball, but more importantly, it's a demonstration of compassion in action.

In short, the purpose of the GSW Teddy Bear Toss is simple:
Turn one basket into thousands of smiles.
 

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Thanks to the following community partners, if you don't have a new or gently used stuffed animal to donate, there will be one available for you to toss:
Ameri-Green Environmental Recycling, Chattahoochee Turf, St. John's Anglican Church of Americus, Coca-Cola and Phoebe Sumter Foundation