Clarkson University physician assistant students collected a total of 400 stuffed animals that are being distributed to child patients at local hospitals.

POTSDAM -- Clarkson University’s Physician Assistant Program recently collected more than 400 stuffed animals from fans at a “Teddy Bear Toss” during a recent Clarkson men’s hockey game.

After the Golden Knights scored their first goal, the stuffed animals rained down on the ice and were quickly scooped up by the hockey players, Cheel staff and PA students.

All donations will go to local hospitals, including Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, Massena Memorial Hospital, Gouverneur Hospital, Alice Hyde Medical Center, Adirondack Medical Center, Carthage Area Hospital and the Guthrie Clinic at Fort Drum.

"We are so appreciative of the overwhelming support from the North Country community that made this event a great success," said Clarkson PA Student Society President Ellen Cassidy of Potsdam. "Serving our community is an important aspect of the Physician Assistant Student Society."