Teddies to tots: Regina Pats visit RGH children’s ward

A little more than week ago, teddy bears were flying through the air at the Brandt Centre; on Tuesday they were landing in the arms of children.

The Regina Pats visited the children’s ward at the Regina General Hospital to hand out some of the 2,100 stuffed animals donated during their annual Teddy Bear Toss on Dec. 2.

Regina Pats visit with 3-year-old Aiden Tessmer and his mom Jocelyn Peace at the Regina General Hospital on Dec. 11, 2018. (Arielle Zerr/980 CJME)

It’s something the players look forward to every year.

“It brings a smile to all the kids’ faces that we give the bears to and that’s what it’s all about. It makes it special to me,” said forward Brett Clayton.

Clayton took a particular shine to three-year-old Aiden, who started out shy as the players entered the room but warmed up quickly as they talked about dinosaurs.

Aiden first received a large puppy from the team. But before the team left, he changed his mind and took a bright blue dragon instead.

And Clayton also left with a gift from Aiden — a dinosaur sticker from the young boy’s sticker book.

“He’s very happy, I love it. He’s got a smile on his face, too. You could never even tell he’s sick, so I think that’s really special to see, and it teaches all of us a big lesson too, seeing him like that,” Clayton said.

It was a special moment for Aiden’s mom, Jocelyn Peace, to see the players come in and spend time with her boy, who has been sick since he was five days old.

“It’s nice that they took time out of their day, not only just came in and dropped off the bear, but they’re also playing with him and interacting with him,” she said.

The Pats also went to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre to deliver teddies to patients there.

The remainder have been donated to the Salvation Army in time for Christmas.