GREAT FALLS – The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services announced in a press release on Monday that donation boxes have been set up at various locations to receive holiday gifts that 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 66 years. The program ensures that all state hospital patients have a gift under the Christmas tree.
MSH Gifts With A Lift coordinator Beth Eastman said the program is very important to patients. “This program means the world to MSH patients, and helps brighten their day,” she said. “And, it’s been successful due to the amazing generosity of Montana residents, who are always there to help out their fellow citizens.”
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, fanny packs, 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 L – 3X.
People or organizations interested in ‘adopting’ a patient are asked to call Eastman at 406-693-7145.
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,” Eastman said.
Gifts or cash donations can be mailed to Gifts With A Lift, c/o Beth Eastman, 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 15. 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:
- Rainbow House
925 North 18th
Billings, MT 59101 - Silver House
106 West Broadway
Butte, MT 59701 - NAMI-MT
555 Fuller, Suite 3
Helena, MT 59601 - New Directions
621 1st Ave. South
Great Falls, MT 59401 - Center for Mental Health
900 North Jackson
Helena, MT 59601 - Addictive and Mental Disorders Division-DPHHS
100 N. Park Ave., Ste. 300
Helena, MT 59601 - Adult Services
1315 Wyoming
Missoula, MT 59801 - Montana State Hospital
PO Box 300
Warm Springs, MT 59756 - Bozeman Daily Chronicle
2820 W. College St.
Bozeman, MT 59771 - Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Courthouse
MSU Extension Office, Third Floor
800 Main St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Reporting by David Sherman for MTN News
