When You Think Montana Grizzlies, Think Griz for Kids on Saturday

This weekend, the roar of the crowd will echo with generosity as the Grizzlies host their beloved holiday drive for underprivileged children.

That's what the team is counting on this Saturday, November 8. Not only is it a huge game, it's an opportunity for all of us to make Christmas a bit merrier for children in need.

The University of Montana's annual Griz for Kids Holiday Drive is this Saturday at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Amid the hoopla pitting 2nd-ranked Montana against Big Sky Conference arch rival Eastern Washington at 1:00 pm, we are helping spread the word about what you can do to help the Griz with another successful drive, as fans have been doing since 2005.

ITS ORIGINS

The Griz for Kids Toy Drive kicks off the season of giving each year at a Grizzly football game. The Drive was inspired by UM Grizzly football player Chris Orwig who said the entire team felt incredible fan support from the community and he wanted to find a way to give back. Although he loved his adopted home of Missoula, he didn’t have a lot of time to volunteer.  He hoped and believed Griz fans would help the team collect donations so that kids in need would have a brighter Christmas…and he was right.  He partnered with the Mountain of Giving Foundation and the Griz for Kids game became a tradition!

Chris helped organize the first toy drive at a Griz game 20 years ago, and the University of Montana and Grizzly Athletics have continued to support it.

WHAT IS BEING ASKED OF A GENEROUS GRIZ NATION

Fans are being asked to make cash donations at each of the entrances outside Washington-Grizzly Stadium prior to the game. The Griz for Kids Holiday Drive donations provide gifts for children and families in need in western Montana. For 2025 you will be helping nearly 775 children. That is the largest number the drive has ever served. 

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WHAT TO WATCH FOR AND WHERE

From 11:00 am - 1:30 pm, look for Griz for Kids banners, not only at the stadium entrances, but also the walking bridge, the Adams Center and north and south entrances.

Thank you, Griz Nation. Your support means more than we could ever express here.