Rockhurst High School
Senior Continues "Teddy Bear Takeoff" Drive
"Helping others has always been a passion of mine."
Landon Lobaugh '25 is using that passion to bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of children through his now-annual Teddy Bear Takeoff, a fundraiser and stuffed animal drive organized through his club hockey team, the Kansas City Jets.
The money and toys donated support Children's Mercy Hospital and the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), both which have special meaning to Lobaugh. He was born prematurely with undeveloped lungs and spent the first part of his life at Children's Mercy, and wants to give back to the place that he says saved his life.
Lobaugh recalls volunteering at JVS going into his junior year at Rockhurst.
"I was just working to complete my required 20 hours of community service for school, and I felt this desire to keep doing it; the work made me feel good. And so I've looked for more opportunities at Rockhurst to help others, including leading a towel drive for Wayside Waifs."
During his junior year, Lobaugh had the idea for the Teddy Bear Takeoff. After the first goal during a game, fans would throw teddy bears onto the ice that would be collected and donated. The first year's efforts resulted in more than 600 stuffed animals and $30,000 raised.
In his senior year, and final season with the Jets, Lobaugh had a lofty goal of $50,000 and double the previous year's teddy bears for the game on Nov. 30.
Both goals were surpassed.
The 2024 Teddy Bear Takeoff led to $56,400 and 2,744 teddy bears.
Lobaugh looks forward to the continued success of the drive, even if he won't be leading it. This year, he was intentional about working with younger Jets players who have expressed interest in running it in the future.
"Pursuing, creating, and organizing a charity event has been a lot of fun. It's helped me learn a lot about the needs of others, and it's also made me feel good that I'm making a difference in the community."
Learn more about Teddy Bear Takeoff here.
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Landon Lobaugh '25 is using that passion to bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of children through his now-annual Teddy Bear Takeoff, a fundraiser and stuffed animal drive organized through his club hockey team, the Kansas City Jets.
The money and toys donated support Children's Mercy Hospital and the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), both which have special meaning to Lobaugh. He was born prematurely with undeveloped lungs and spent the first part of his life at Children's Mercy, and wants to give back to the place that he says saved his life.
Lobaugh recalls volunteering at JVS going into his junior year at Rockhurst.
"I was just working to complete my required 20 hours of community service for school, and I felt this desire to keep doing it; the work made me feel good. And so I've looked for more opportunities at Rockhurst to help others, including leading a towel drive for Wayside Waifs."
During his junior year, Lobaugh had the idea for the Teddy Bear Takeoff. After the first goal during a game, fans would throw teddy bears onto the ice that would be collected and donated. The first year's efforts resulted in more than 600 stuffed animals and $30,000 raised.
In his senior year, and final season with the Jets, Lobaugh had a lofty goal of $50,000 and double the previous year's teddy bears for the game on Nov. 30.
Both goals were surpassed.
The 2024 Teddy Bear Takeoff led to $56,400 and 2,744 teddy bears.
Lobaugh looks forward to the continued success of the drive, even if he won't be leading it. This year, he was intentional about working with younger Jets players who have expressed interest in running it in the future.
"Pursuing, creating, and organizing a charity event has been a lot of fun. It's helped me learn a lot about the needs of others, and it's also made me feel good that I'm making a difference in the community."
Learn more about Teddy Bear Takeoff here.
