Griz hand out turkeys to make holidays brighter

Four University of Montana football players helped carry on a century-old tradition this week, bringing the holiday spirit to the town of Bonner, just east of Missoula.

Thanks to current Bonner Mill owners and long-time Griz fans Steve Nelson and Mike Boehme, football players Tucker Schye, Joey Counts, Cy Sirmon and Cole Rosling made the holidays a little brighter on Monday, delivering Thanksgiving turkeys to families who live in the neighborhood.

Boehme says the tradition started back in the 1880s when the Anaconda Company started the mill to provide lumber for its mines in Butte.

Nelson and Boehme purchased the mill site in 2011, and have revived the tradition over the past four years, donating a truckload of turkey and distributing them with the help of Montana student-athletes.

"It's such a neat thing for these folks to get to meet a Griz football player," said Nelson. "It's a great way for the players to give back to the community as well."

For the players, helping lend a hand in the community is just a small way to say thanks.

"This is one of the reasons you come to Montana and play for the Griz," said Sirmon, whose dad played for the Griz in the 90's.

"It's fun to go out in the community and see first-hand how big of an impact you have on these people, and thank them for all they do for us."

This year, the four-man crew of student-athletes delivered 42 turkeys to families around the mill in houses that were originally built by the Anaconda Company for its employees.

Back then, the managers of the mill would take turkeys around the neighborhood as a way to thank employees for their work.

Since Nelson and Boehme purchased the mill property in 2011, they have overseen the rehabilitation of nearly 170 acres and 16 historic homes in the area.

This is the fourth year they have had the help of the Grizzlies, with the entire men's basketball team volunteering in 2015.

#GrizFootball players out delivering turkeys around the neighborhood in Bonner! More to come! ???? pic.twitter.com/F48rxyAKmM
— UM Griz Football (@UMGRIZZLIES_FB) November 22, 2016

University of Montana Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Joey Counts

Cole Rosling

Tucker Schye

Cy Sirmon

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