Buckeyes Deliver Teddy Bears to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/26/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
May 26, 2015
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Hanging up their skates for an afternoon of goodwill, members of the Ohio State men’s hockey team partnered with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio and Nationwide Children’s Hospital to deliver a collection of stuffed animals last Thursday, courtesy of the program’s fourth-annual Teddy Bear Toss.
Arriving with gifts and smiles, the Buckeyes distributed approximately 10 large bags of stuffed animals to children and their families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Previously, fans supported the team and its worthy cause by tossing donated teddy bears on the ice during the first intermission of Ohio State’s matchup with Wisconsin Feb. 14.
“I have been blessed with the opportunity to go to the Ronald McDonald House the past two years to deliver stuffed animals and I plan on continuing to visit for the rest of my time here at Ohio State and beyond,” Nick Schilkey, a sophomore forward from Marysville, Mich., said. “Seeing the kids as happy as they are when we walk in is always special. It’s fun to talk to the kids and find a perfect stuffed animal to make their day.
Schilkey and his teammates, Sam Jardine and Craig Dalrymple, held true to their promise of pairing each child with their ideal furry friend. On their visit, the trio met a little girl who requested her very own stuffed turtle, which unfortunately was not part of the haul distributed by the Buckeyes. Determined to make her day, the Buckeyes purchased the stuffed turtle following the event and returned to the Ronald McDonald House over the weekend to present their find to the child.
“It’s the least we can do as a team and as individuals,” Schilkey said. “It is a partnership between our team and the Ronald McDonald House that I hope to continue and further enhance in years to come.”
The men’s hockey program joins a larger scope of Ohio State student-athletes, coaches and corporate community partners aimed at making an impact in Central Ohio and beyond. For more information on the Buckeyes Care programs, as well as the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, visit: OhioStateBuckeyes.com/BuckeyesCare and rmhc-centralohio.org.
