FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 14 2023
Contact: Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
jebelt@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 71 years. The program ensures all state hospital patients have a gift this holiday season.
MSH Gifts with a Lift coordinator Derek O’Brien said the program is very important to patients.
“Each year, the Montana State Hospital Gifts with a Lift program helps brighten the holiday season for those who are away from family and friends,” O’Brien said. “The program relies exclusively on generous donations from Montanans across the state to provide gifts to those receiving care at MSH. Thanks to the generosity of our neighbors, the program continues to be a great success year after year. The staff and patients at MSH cannot express how much they appreciate the support.”
The program is jointly coordinated by the National Alliance for Mental Illness-MT and DPHHS.
Suggestions for gift ideas include, but are not limited to the following: pocket games/books, socks, t-shirts/sweatshirts, cards, winter wear (hats, gloves, jackets), magazines, phone cards, 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, hoodies will not be accepted.)
Individuals or service organizations interested in “adopting” a patient are encouraged to contact O’Brien at (406) 693-7137.
Gifts mailed to the hospital should not be wrapped; however, donations of wrapping paper and gift boxes are welcome.
“Also, to properly acknowledge our generous program donors, please be sure to leave a return receipt as well as your name and address along with the gift,” O’Brien said.
Gifts or cash donations can be mailed to Gifts with a Lift , c/o Derek O’Brien, PO Box 300, Montana State Hospital, Warm Springs, MT 59756. Please drop off or mail gifts by December 8 to ensure they arrive in time for the holidays. Please 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 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. Contact: Paula Arneson, (406) 563-4035
Butte: Silver House: 106 W. Broadway St., Butte, MT 59701. Contact: Hannah Lux (406) 497-9000
Bozeman: Bozeman Daily Chronicle, front lobby: 2820 W. College St., Bozeman, MT 59718. Drop off times- 8am to 5pm, M-F. Contact: Marla Goodman, (406) 581-1375
Billings: Rainbow House: 925 North 18 th, Billings, MT 59101. Contact: Kathy Drinkwalter, (406) 252-7851. *Drop off times – 9 am - 3 pm M-F
Helena: Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Division: 100 North Park Avenue, Suite 300, Helena, MT 59601. Contact: Cindy Dallas, (406) 444-3907
NAMI Montana: 1331 Helena Avenue, Helena, MT 59601. Contact: Colleen Rahn, (406) 443-7871
Many Rivers Whole Health: 900 North Jackson, Helena, MT 59601. Contact: Jennifer Preble, (406) 324-7330
Missoula: Shawn Gray – please call contact number below to coordinate pick up of donations. 2685 Palmer Street, Suite E (unable to access from outside), Missoula, MT 59801. Contact: (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. Contact: Derek O’Brien, (406) 693-7137