Can’t make it to one of the donation sites for this year’s Mining Journal Cheer Club? This year, there’s a unique spin on a local tradition that will allow people to contribute to the worthy Christmas collection that puts toys, games and other items into the hands of local children in need.

This year, there’s an outdoor Teddy Bear Toss, which allows people to donate from the comfort and safety of their vehicles. It takes place from 1-4 p.m. Saturday on the campus of Northern Michigan University.

Usually during a home hockey game or two, there is a Teddy Bear Toss in which stuffed animals and dolls, along with other items, are chucked onto the ice, collected and given to local charities.

But in this time of pandemic, this event is being held in a socially distant way.

The Mining Journal will join Northern Michigan University and an athletes’ group there to conduct the annual Teddy Bear Toss this effort. Wildcat student-athletes and coaches will participate in the collection, with the toys to be donated to the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul as part of those groups’ Christmas Toy Giveaway Program.

Area residents are encouraged to wrap bears and other stuffed animals in plastic bags and toss them from their vehicles as they drive past the front entrance of the Berry Events Center, the side that faces Fair Avenue.

For those who cannot make it to the Saturday event, The Mining Journal’s Cheer Club, in a careful pandemic-minded manner, will continue to collect unwrapped toys and gifts to be donated to local children and families in need during the holiday season. Gifts are distributed to local families through St. Vincent de Paul and The Salvation Army of Marquette County.

These gifts can be dropped off at: The Mining Journal’s office in downtown Marquette; Range Bank locations in Marquette, Harvey and Negaunee; Salvation Army locations in Ishpeming and Marquette; and Ace Hardware in Gwinn.

And a reminder: those who would like to donate at The Mining Journal’s office, a donation box is in the vestibule of the office along West Washington Street. Staff will empty the box regularly so items can be collected by representatives from the Salvation Army of Marquette County and St. Vincent de Paul of Marquette and distributed to local families in need. If you would like your photo taken with your Cheer Club donation, please ring the buzzer near the exterior door and a masked Journal staff member will take your photo from a safe distance. Hours when photos are available are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Whatever way you choose to participate, remember your effort will help to put a smile on a young face this holiday season. After all, every child deserves to get a present at Christmas time. Please help if you are able.