Second annual toy drive collects
thousands of toys for youth in need

Never mind that it was only Nov. 4. The holiday season was in full swing for the Griz faithful at the Cal Poly game as fan after fan brought toys for the Griz for Kids drive to give kids in need something special come December.

Volunteers manned tables at each entrance to Washington-Grizzly Stadium at The University of Montana ready to accept toys and spirit them away to a trailer for further distribution.

Beginning hours before kickoff, footballs, Legos, Barbie dolls and more started pouring in from fans of all ages.

Griz fans from Billings, Great Falls and nearly everywhere else in the state showed up with toys for Missoula-area kids.

“It’s really incredible that they donated to help Missoula kids,” said University Relations Director Rita Munzenrider. “They wanted to support something the Grizzlies were doing.”

At press time an official count of toys was unavailable, but the sheer volume of gifts indicated that the number was significantly higher than last year.

“The drive was even more successful than last year,” she said, “It brought in more than enough to meet the needs of the agencies involved.”

The agencies that will distribute the toys around the area include Mountain Home Montana, Head Start, Early Head Start, Missoula Indian Center, Youth Homes Inc., Watson Children Shelter, A.W.A.R.E. Inc., YWCA and WORD.

Leftover toys will be used to fill some unanticipated needs in Missoula’s Flagship Program at local elementary schools and be donated to the Salvation Army.

The Griz for Kids program, now in its second year, was organized by Grizzly football player Ryan Wells, who took the reins from his teammate and friend Chris Orwig, the program’s founder.

“Chris wanted Ryan to take this to a whole new level this year, and he really met the challenge,” Munzenrider said. “He represented the Grizzlies and the Department of English well.”

Wells earned academic credit for directing the program through an internship organized by the English department.
Sponsors for Griz for Kids included Max Media, Missoula Federal Credit Union, 102.5 Mountain FM’s Mountain of Giving Toy Drive, UM, the Montana Grizzlies and Beach Transportation.

The weekend following the drive, bus drivers from Beach Transportation donated their time to unload and sort the toys at the Missoula County Fairgrounds.

After the toys are sorted, the agencies responsible for distribution comb through the gifts with wish lists from families in need, and eventually families receiving the toys come to those agencies and “shop” for what they want for their children.

Although the Griz for Kids toy drive is over, the Mountain of Giving Toy Drive continues and people can still make contributions at Missoula Federal Credit Union locations.

There is still a need for infant and toddler clothing, as well as Leap Pad games.

Missoula Youth Homes has particular need for Griz sweatshirts, hats and other clothing for gifts.

Donations will be accepted through mid-December.