By DAVE GUFFEY for GoGriz.com
Players on the Montana Grizzlies football team are leading an effort to give back to the community with the ninth annual Griz for Kids Toy Drive, at the University of Montana’s football game against Weber State this Saturday, Nov. 16.
Griz fans can drop off new, unwrapped toys or cash donations at all entrances to Washington-Grizzly Stadium before the Griz game against the Wildcats, which begins at 12:07 p.m. All gifts are tax-deductible.
Anyone unable to attend the game can make cash donations at all Missoula Federal Credit Union locations and credit union members can donate online. Cash donations will be used to purchase needed items such as clothing for teens and pre-teens, books and art supplies.
Gifted Hero by JD Hancock.
Last year’s drive brought in thousands of toys for western Montana children in need during the holiday season. This year, senior linebacker Brock Coyle is in charge of organizing the drive. Coyle hopes to top last year’s event when Griz fans filled three delivery trucks with bags of toys and contributed more than $3,000 in cash donations.
“Griz for Kids is a great cause that allows the community to give back to those in need,” Coyle said. “The opportunity to make this holiday season special for children in need is a gift in itself. We thank our fans for their generosity year after year and hope that this is the best year yet.”
The gifts will be distributed to Mountain Home Montana, Head Start/Child Start, Child and Family Services, Youth Homes Inc., Missoula Indian Services, Watson Children’s Shelters, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, WORD/Futures Program, A.W.A.R.E and Early Head Start.
Sponsors of the event include UM and the Montana Grizzlies in partnership with Mountain Broadcasting, Max Media (ABC 23 and FOX 23.1), Missoula Federal Credit Union and Beach Transportation. The event is held in conjunction with 102.5 Mountain FM’s Mountain of Giving Toy Drive.