Missoula Donations Drive KYSSMAS to New Record

What started as a simple effort to bring toys to kids in Missoula hospitals has grown to become one of the largest fundraisers in the area every year. And this year, driven by the KYSS listeners' recognition of the ongoing need, KYSSMAS for Kids is expected to help well over 1,000 kids have a better Christmas.

What is KYSSMAS for Kids?

For the past 29 years, the KYSS staff and a hard-working group of friends and volunteers have teamed up on the first Friday in December to raise funds to buy gift cards for kids whose families are struggling financially.

Former KYSS morning show host Tom Anthony says it started as an idea to collect a few toys and take them to St. Pat's and Community Medical Center to cheer up the kids who were in the hospital.

But almost immediately, Anthony says the station began getting calls from local organizations, wondering if there were enough toys to also reach other children who were in a tough spot.

"What a wonderful opportunity, not only to help out in the community and organizations, but to help out kids," Tom recalls. "The innocent kids out there that just need to be shown love in their lives."

Tom Anthony talks about the origins of KYSSMAS for Kids

An explosion of giving

Three years ago, we were astonished to see the total donations pass $50,000 for the first time. In 2023, that total nearly doubled to nearly $90,000.

Last year, we were blown away to see the total climb to $130,000, from a combination of direct donations and auction items donated by local businesses.

     And a HUGE part of that has been the hundreds of people who have responded to our friend, John Maki, responding to his direct reminders and urging to do something to "help the kids."

A new record

We're still working on the final totals from Friday's radiothon. But Friday evening, we closed out the 13-hour effort by announcing that the 2025 KYSSMAS for Kids had OVER $140,000!

Overwhelmed by your caring

We can't thank all of you enough for your support, and especially for your love and caring for Missoula-area kids. Whether it was just a few dollars to several thousand, you've given us renewed belief in the kindness of our wonderful Townsquare Media listeners, and the KYSS family in particular.

We're already excited for the 30th anniversary of KYSSMAS in 2026.

     🎁 But first, we've got some presents to buy!