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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 22 2021

Contact: Jon Ebelt, Public Information Officer, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@mt.gov
Chuck Council, Communications Specialist, DPHHS, (406) 444-4391, (406) 461-8367
hcouncil@mt.gov

Gifts With A Lift Program Spreads Holiday Cheer to Montana State Hospital Patients

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced today that donation boxes have been set up at various locations across the state to receive holiday gifts to benefit Montana State Hospital (MSH) patients.

The effort is part of the annual Gifts With A Lift program that has played an instrumental role in spreading holiday cheer to patients for the past 69 years. The program ensures that all state hospital patients have a gift this holiday season.

MSH Gifts With A Lift coordinator Trent Martin said the program continues to receive strong support every year. “We truly appreciate all the support this program continues to receive from Montana residents each and every year,” Martin said. “It’s been successful due to the generosity of so many people across the state.”

The program is jointly coordinated by the National Alliance for Mental Illness-MT and DPHHS.

Ideas for gift suggestions include but are not limited to the following: Pocket games/books, socks, T-Shirts/sweatshirts, cards, winter hats/adult winter gloves, magazines, phone cards, jackets, craft kits, batteries, slippers, blankets/ throws, headphones, handheld AM/FM radios, postage stamps and stationery. MSH is especially in need of winter coats for men and women in sizes M – 3X. (Larger sizes preferred. Please note we are unable to accept hoodies or shoelaces.)

Individuals or service organizations interested in ‘adopting’ a patient are encouraged to contact Martin at 406-693-5279.

Gifts mailed to the hospital should not be wrapped; however, donations of wrapping paper and gift boxes are welcome. “Please include a name and address in the package and a return receipt so we may acknowledge the arrival of your gifts,” Martin said.

Gifts or cash donations can be mailed to Gifts With A Lift, c/o Trent Martin, PO Box 300, Montana State Hospital, Warm Springs, MT 59756. In order to arrive in time for the holidays, gifts should be dropped off or mailed by December 10. Make checks payable to: Gifts With A Lift.

MSH is the only publicly operated inpatient psychiatric hospital in the state. It provides treatment to adults who have serious mental illnesses and who are referred from hospitals, mental health programs, and district courts from across the state.

Gifts can also be dropped off at any of the following locations:

Anaconda

Anaconda/Deer Lodge County Courthouse
MSU Extension Office, Third Floor
800 Main St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
406-563-4035

Bozeman

Bozeman Daily Chronicle, front Lobby
2820 W. College St.
Bozeman, MT 59718

*Drop off times- 8am to 5pm, M-F

Billings

Rainbow House
925 North 18^thBillings, MT 59101

*Drop off times- 9am-3pm M-F

Butte

Our House Group Home
2 1/2 E Copper St
Butte, MT 59701
406-491-0115

Great Falls

New Directions Center
621 1^st Ave South
Great Falls, MT 59401
406-761-2104

*Ring doorbell

Helena

Addictive and Mental Disorders Division - DPHHS
100 N. Park Ave., Ste. 300
Helena, MT 59601
406-444-3907

Missoula

Contact: Shawn – 406-880-3173

*All donations in Missoula must be received by 12/6/21

Warm Springs

Montana State Hospital
PO Box 300
Warm Springs, MT 59756
406-693-7259