Gifts with a Lift Program spreads holiday cheer to Montana State Hospital patients
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MONTANA — The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) recently announced 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 72 years. The program ensures all MSH patients receive a gift this holiday season.
MSH Gifts with a Lift coordinator Derek O’Brien said the program is very important to patients.
“This annual tradition helps brighten the holiday season for patients who are away from family, friends and their communities,” O’Brien said. “Gifts with a Lift relies exclusively on the generous donations from Montanans who have historically supported this program for decades, and we’re excited to continue this effort.”
The program is jointly coordinated by the National Alliance for Mental Illness-MT and DPHHS.
Ideas for gifts include but are not limited to the following: pocket games/ composition books, socks, t-shirts/sweatshirts, winter wear (hats, gloves, jackets), slippers, blankets/ throws, handheld AM/FM radios, and stationery. MSH is especially in need of winter coats for men and women in sizes M – 3X. (Larger sizes preferred; hoodies and items with strings 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 include a return receipt, if mailed, 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 gifts off at participating community drop sites by Dec. 6 or at MSH by Dec. 11. If you wish to mail gifts or donations, please make sure they are postmarked by Dec. 6 to ensure they arrive on time. 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.
The closest location gifts can be dropped off is: Missoula; contact Shawn Gray – please call 406-880-3173 to coordinate pick up of donations.
