Coos Bay, January 15, 2019: Southwestern Oregon Community College’s Junior Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Associated Student Government (ASG) will hold its third annual “Teddy Bear Toss” benefiting the Pediatric Unit and the Kids’ HOPE Center at Bay Area Hospital. The event will be held Saturday, March 2, at 4 p.m., during the men’s basketball game. The Southwestern Lakers will play the Clark Penguins at the Southwestern campus, Prosper Hall Gym, 1988 Newmark Avenue, Coos Bay, OR. Spectators are encouraged to bring NEW teddy bears or stuffed animals and toss them onto the court during the halftime presentation. The stuffed animals will be collected and donated to the Pediatric Unit and the Kids’ HOPE Center. Each individual who brings a new stuffed animal will receive free admission to the game. The Teddy Bear Toss assists the hospital in providing a stuffed toy to pediatric patients. This can help ease the anxiety and fear of being hospitalized. Nearly 3,000 children were seen in the Emergency Department at Bay Area Hospital last year and approximately 200 kids were admitted to the Pediatric Unit. In addition, one teddy bear is given to every child seen at the Kids’ Hope Center, the Child Abuse Intervention Center for Coos County. Toys like these provide some much needed comfort for children who may be going through a difficult time. For additional information, contact Barbara Bauder at 541-269-8543.