FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 26 2024

Contact: Jon Ebelt, Communications Director, DPHHS, (406) 444-0936, (406) 461-3757
                 jebelt@mt.gov

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Local Organizations Donate Nearly 11,000 Toys, Duffel Bags to DPHHS for Children in Foster Care

Gifts from Intrepid Credit Union, Toys for Tots distributed to locations across the state

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) today announced that it has received generous donations from Intrepid Credit Union and Toys for Tots that will help bring smiles to the faces of hundreds of children in foster care throughout Montana.

“We are extremely thankful for the generosity of these organizations," said Rob Lawler, coordinator of the Office of Faith and Community Based Services (OFCBS) at DPHHS. “These gifts will certainly brighten the day for these families.”

Intrepid Credit Union, with offices in Helena, Bozeman and Billings, donated 83 large duffel bags, each containing a bear, blanket, coloring book, brush, and crayons. Lawler said the bags will be dispersed to DPHHS Child and Family Services Division (CFSD) field offices.

“The success of this project underscores the positive impact we can make in the lives of children when we all work together,” said Kimberly Worthy, Vice President of People and Culture at Intrepid Credit Union. “We are grateful for this opportunity to give back to Montana communities.”

Hasbro, one of America's largest toy companies, recently donated $1 million in toys to the Toys for Tots Foundation. A total of two truckloads of toys were requested and delivered to Helena. One truckload of 26 pallets of toys was delivered to Family Services at the Montana National Guard at Fort Harrison. The other truckload of toys for children in foster care included a semi-load of 10,494 toys on 26 pallets, each stacked eight feet high. 

To date, toys have been distributed to the communities of Red Lodge, Lame Deer, Broadus, Baker, Wibaux, Sidney, Savage and Glendive. Lawler said he is arranging for additional toy drop-offs at locations throughout Montana in the coming weeks.

More information about OFCBS and its work may be found on the Faith and Community Based Services (mt.gowebsite page. The OFCBS is a DPHHS liaison to faith and community organizations across Montana, creating a two-way flow of information and establishing strong public-private partnerships to serve the identified health and wellness needs in each community most effectively.

The Montana 68^th Legislature 2023 Session, SB 163, established a volunteer program within DPHHS to support the Child and Family Services Division. This rule establishes a registration portal for volunteers and volunteer organizations interested in supporting CFSD. Organizations or individuals interested in registering with the OFCBS are encouraged to visit the Child Welfare Volunteer Portal.