Gifts With A Lift program spreads holiday cheer to Montana State Hospital patients
From a Montana DPHHS Press Release
HELENA - 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 George Sich said the program is very important to patients. “The Gifts With A Lift Program is a big part of the Holiday Season at MSH,” he said. “It is a feel-good event for both patients and staff. And, because of the phenomenal generosity of our Montana residents, the program is a wonderful success year after year. Montana residents are always there to help 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, 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, hoodies will not be accepted.)
Individuals or service organizations interested in ‘adopting’ a patient are encouraged to contact George Sich at 406-693-7086.
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,” Sich said.
Gifts or cash donations can be mailed to Gifts With A Lift, c/o George Sich, 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 9. 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
Contact Paula Arneson 406-563-4035
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 18th
Billings, MT 59101
Contact Kathy Drinkwater 406-252-7851
*Drop off times- 9am-3pm M-F
Helena-
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
Addictive and Mental Disorder Division (AMDD)
100 North Park Avenue, Suite 300
Helena, MT 59601
Contact: Cindy Dallas 406-444-3907
Missoula-
Shawn Gray
2685 Palmer Street
Missoula, MT 59801
Contact 406-532-9700
*All donations in Missoula must be received by 12/6/21
Warm Springs-
Montana State Hospital PO Box 300 Warm Springs, MT 59756
Contact George Sich 406-693-7086
