February 18, 2013. Players from Sputnik hockey team (sponsored by Uralvagonzavod Scientific & Production Corporation) paid a visit to an orphanage in the village of Yuzhakovo. This was part of the team’s charity event dubbed Soft Hockey.

In January, Sputnik appealed to its supporters, asking them to bring some soft toys to the match and throw them onto the ice after the game finishes. The supporters were quick and enthusiastic to react, so an incredible amount of stuffed animals was donated. The first small batch was given to a kindergarten that the junior varsity team supports. Now, five big bagfuls of toys were taken to Yuzhakovo by the hockey players themselves.

The orphanage, located in the countryside, was picked out for a reason. The place is situated within 120 km of Nizhniy Tagil, so the children living there probably need help and care more than anyone else. There are 22 children aged 9 to 16 at the orphanage at the moment. When asked, ‘Perhaps this looks like too many toys?’ the children all replied, ’Not at all!’, while their caretakers said that their little charges just loved soft toys, especially falling asleep while hugging a teddy bear.

Stuffed animals probably provide them with comfort, protection, and warmth that our kids need so much.