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