Gifts With A Lift for Montana State Hospital
December 4, 2024
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced today that donation boxes have been set up across the state to collect holiday gifts for patients at Montana State Hospital (MSH).
This effort is part of the annual Gifts with a Lift program, which has spread holiday cheer to patients for 72 years. The program ensures that every MSH patient receives a gift during the holiday season.
The program is jointly coordinated by DPHHS and NAMI Montana.
Why Gifts With a Lift Matters
MSH Gifts with a Lift coordinator Derek O’Brien emphasized the importance of the program:
“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.”
Gift Suggestions
Suggested gift items include (but are not limited to):
Pocket games or composition books
Socks
T-shirts or sweatshirts
Winter wear (hats, gloves, jackets)
Slippers
Blankets or throws
Handheld AM/FM radios
Stationery
Special need: Winter coats for men and women in sizes M–3X
(Larger sizes preferred. Hoodies and items with strings will not be accepted.)
Adopt-a-Patient Option
Individuals or service organizations interested in “adopting” a patient are encouraged to contact:
Derek O’Brien
Phone: (406) 693-7137
Important Donation Guidelines
Gifts mailed to the hospital should not be wrapped
Donations of wrapping paper and gift boxes are welcome
Please include a return receipt, along with your name and address, so donors can be properly acknowledged
Mailing Donations
Gifts or cash donations may be mailed to:
Gifts with a Lift
c/o Derek O’Brien
PO Box 300
Montana State Hospital
Warm Springs, MT 59756
Drop off gifts at community sites by December 6
Drop off directly at MSH by December 11
Mailed gifts must be postmarked by December 6
Make checks payable to: Gifts with a Lift
About Montana State Hospital
Montana State Hospital is the only publicly operated inpatient psychiatric hospital in the state. It provides treatment to adults with serious mental illnesses referred from hospitals, mental health programs, and district courts across Montana.
Donation Drop-Off Locations
Anaconda
Anaconda–Deer Lodge County Courthouse
MSU Extension Office, Third Floor
800 Main St., Anaconda, MT 59711
Contact: Paula Arneson — (406) 563-4035
Drop-off times: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
Butte
Silver House
106 W. Broadway St., Butte, MT 59701
Contact: Silver House Staff — (406) 497-9000
Drop-off times: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
Bozeman
Bozeman Senior Center
807 N. Tracy Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715
Contact: Bozeman NAMI — (406) 763-6270
Drop-off times: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
Billings
Rainbow House
925 North 18th St., Billings, MT 59101
Contact: Kathy Drinkwalter — (406) 252-7851
Drop-off times: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
Helena
Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Division
301 S. Park Avenue, Suite 320
Helena, MT 59601
Contact: Cindy Dallas — (406) 444-3907
Drop-off times: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
Missoula
Shawn Gray — Please call to coordinate pickup
Contact: (406) 880-3173
Warm Springs
Montana State Hospital
PO Box 300
Warm Springs, MT 59756
Contact: Derek O’Brien — (406) 693-7137