Teddy Bear Toss

Jennie Stuart Health is partnering with a fellow non-profit to host a
unique community opportunity later this week. The first-ever Hopkinsville Teddy Bear Toss,
sponsored by JSH, will help provide stuffed animals for the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy
Center — a local organization that assists and advocates for youth who have suffered abuse.
Area residents are encouraged to attend the Hopkinsville vs. Christian County boys’ basketball
game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Lyle Dunbar Gymnasium, located at 220 Glass Avenue.
During halftime of the game, attendees will be prompted to toss their new teddy bear or stuffed
animal onto the court, where it will be collected on behalf of PCAC.
For those attending the game, regular tickets can be purchased by visiting www.GoFan.co and
searching for “Christian County.” For anyone unable to attend the game or stay for halftime,
teddy bears and stuffed animals may be dropped off at the WHOP Radio studios, between 7 a.m.
and 4 p.m., at 220 Dink Embry’s Buttermilk Road in Hopkinsville.
Before, during or after forensic interviews, medical examinations and/or mental health
treatments, which occur as a result of physical, mental and/or sexual abuse cases, children who
enter the PCAC facility are able to select a bear to help ease the tension of the situation. PCAC
sees hundreds of local and regional youths per year.
“Studies have shown that receiving a teddy bear or stuffed animal during this process can be
extremely helpful to the child, and their family, who is seeking our assistance and resources
during what can be a very traumatic event,” said PCAC Executive Director Candra Barnett. “We
hope that a lot of people will consider bringing a teddy bear to the game or dropping one of in
advance, and are excited to be a part of this partnership that hopefully becomes annual.”
For more information on the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center, visit
www.PennyrileCAC.org or call 270-881-1111. For updates on the Teddy Bear Toss, feel free to
visit the official event page on the Jennie Stuart Health Facebook page.