Big Sky Times

The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) has announced the establishment of donation boxes at various locations across Montana to collect holiday gifts for patients at Montana State Hospital (MSH). This initiative is part of the annual Gifts with a Lift program, which has been spreading holiday cheer to patients for 72 years.

Derek O’Brien, MSH Gifts with a Lift coordinator, emphasized the importance of this program for patients. "This annual tradition helps brighten the holiday season for patients who are away from family, friends and their communities," O’Brien stated. He noted that the program relies solely on donations from Montanans who have supported it over the decades.

The program is coordinated by both the National Alliance for Mental Illness-MT and DPHHS. Suggested gift items include pocket games, socks, winter wear, slippers, blankets, handheld radios, and stationery. There is a particular need for winter coats in sizes M-3X. Individuals or organizations interested in adopting a patient can contact O’Brien at (406) 693-7137.

Gifts should not be wrapped when mailed to the hospital; however, wrapping paper donations 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," added O’Brien.

Donations can be sent to Gifts with a Lift c/o Derek O’Brien at PO Box 300, Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs. The deadline for drop-offs at community sites is December 6 or December 11 directly at MSH. Mailed gifts should be postmarked by December 6.

Montana State Hospital is the only publicly operated inpatient psychiatric hospital in Montana providing treatment to adults with serious mental illnesses referred from various sources statewide.

Gifts can be dropped off at designated locations including Anaconda/Deer Lodge County Courthouse in Anaconda; Silver House in Butte; Bozeman Senior Center in Bozeman; Rainbow House in Billings; Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Division in Helena; Shawn Gray's contact number for Missoula coordination; and directly at Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs.